Frequently asked questions
Where can I get advice?
Council staff
The first step is always to contact our staff to discuss the activity you want to do.
Call our freephone 0800 002 004 and we will put you in touch with the right Consents Officer to discuss your activity.
Ministry for the Environment
The Ministry for the Environment provides several publications that can help you understand how the resource consent process works. Most of the publications are available from their website:
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/rma
How long will it take?
It is difficult to give you an exact length of time for processing your consent application. It will depend on things like whether it is a non-notified or notified consent and whether pre-hearing meetings or a hearing is required.
However, all Councils need to comply with the timeframes contained in the Resource Management Act. In general, if you've provided all the necessary information, the Council should be able to make a decision about non-notified applications within one month, and about notified applications within four months. We will decide whether to notify your application within 10 working days of receiving it.
There might be a delay in processing your application if, for example:
- you don't supply all the information the Council needs
- you need other consents for the activity, and the Council decides to consider all the applications as a single package
- the activity is large and complex
- there is disagreement about the conditions for the resource consent.
The Council can stop processing your consent if it needs you to provide further information. You can help avoid delays by talking to Council staff early in the process.
How much will it cost?
When you apply for a resource consent you will be required to pay a fee/deposit which in many cases will cover all processing costs.
If the final costs of processing the application are greater than the initial fee/deposit, you will be invoiced for these additional costs.
Sometimes, especially for large development proposals, the Council comes to an arrangement at the beginning for progressive monthly billing of work carried out during the processing of the application.
How long does a resource consent last?
Almost all Resource Consents include an expiry date. If you wish to continue the activity after the expiry date, you will need to apply for a new consent at least six months before that date.
What happens if I don't use my consent?
If the activity stated in your consent has not started within five years of the commencement date, the consent lapses.
If you wish to extend the lapsing date beyond five years, you will need to make an application to the Regional Council to do so before the consent lapses. Please contact our staff to discuss what is required to make an application for an extension to the lapsing date.
Can I transfer resource consents?
Except in special cases, you are able to transfer your consent to another person. Contact the Northland Regional Council if you wish to do this. Ensure that you transfer your consent when you are selling your property. There is a transfer form to complete and a transfer fee to pay.
Can the conditions of a consent be changed?
Yes, resource consent conditions may be changed in a similar way as with a new application.
What if I wish to give up a consent?
If you wish to surrender a resource consent, please notify the Northland Regional Council in writing.