5.Environmental Compliance

NRC is responsible under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) for the control of activities that may cause adverse environmental effects. These activities are regulated by rules in Regional Plans and, where applicable, resource consent. NRC is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of its rules and compliance with resource consent. NRC staff undertake assessments of consented activities and grade activities according to compliance. In cases of significant non-compliance, NRC can take enforcement action to halt an activity or fine or prosecute the offender.

In 2007-08, there were a total of 4006 consented activities in the NRC database. NRC staff undertook 3002 monitoring visits of these activities; 1912 of the activities monitored were fully compliant, 799 had minor non-compliance and 291 were significantly non-compliant. Enforcement action taken during 2007-08 included the issue of 173 abatement notices, 113 infringement notices and three successful prosecution cases.