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Consents and Compliance

Resource Consents

Resource Consents give you permission to use or develop a natural or physical resource and/or carry out an activity that affects the environment. It's the official approval from your Regional Council that allows you to carry out these activities.

 

There are national and regional rules for undertaking certain activities that affect the environment, and sometimes this means you need a consent. Obtaining a resource consent will provide you with certainty that you can do an activity.

Resource consents are issued under the Resource Management Act 1991 and help ensure that any effect on the environment is managed sustainably. There is a set process, with set timeframes that Councils need to follow.

A consent is required if you wish to do something that is not permitted by regional plans or national standards. As part of this work, we provide advice and information to resource users, and participate in consent appeals and objections to provide a regional perspective on acceptable environmental outcomes.

We are available to guide you through this process and provide tips on how to make it a smooth experience. This can be done by contacting us at consent.enquiries@orc.govt.nz, or calling 0800 474 082.

The purpose of a resource consent is to put controls around activities that may have an effect on the environment. Consents must meet the requirements of:

 

Finding consents throughout the region

You can use our mapping tool (Otago Maps) to locate consents across Otago.

 

Notice of update to consent application forms

The Otago Regional Policy Statement 2019 (ORPS 2019) became fully operative on 4 March 2024 and the Proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement (P-ORPS 2021) was fully notified on 30 March 2024.  These changes require us to update our consent applications forms, which we are in the process of doing. In the meantime, if we need any further from the applicant on the policy assessment, we will be in touch.

 

Stages of the Consents process

Consents process

There are several steps in getting a resource consent and understanding the process makes it easier. Read more

Consents Process Timeframes

Learn about the number of working days that are allowed for each step of processing and making decisions on resource consent applications. Read more

Notification Process

In order to process consents we must consider whether or not the application needs to be notified. Read more

Consultation process

Processing consent applications is typically simpler, quicker and less costly if you have consulted with those who may be affected by the activity you want to carry out. Read more

Hearing process

The hearing process allows us to understand the different points and view on a consent application in order to make a decision on whether the consent should be granted. Read more

Submissions process

The most effective way for you to influence the resource consent process, is to make a submission on an application. Read more

Submitters Guideline

Now you have submitted on an application and stated you wish to speak at any hearing here are some tips and tricks to help you to prepare for the hearing process. Read more

Appeal Process

If an applicant, consent holder or submitter to a resource consent is not satisfied with the decision reach, they may be able to lodge an appeal. Read more

Resource Consent holders guide

A guide for resource consent users on roles, responsibilities and other consent information. Read more

Technical Expert Guide

Do you need to talk to a technical expert before applying for your permit. Our Technical expert guide can help you work our which activities you could handle yourself, and where you might need expert advice. Our guide also gives examples of experts you might need and what they can help you with. Read more

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