Resource consents

Any use of resources in the Taranaki region requires a resource consent, unless the activity is 'permitted' by a regional plan or the Resource Management Act 1991. Consents allow the use of natural resources (water, air and land) and Council staff are available to help applicants determine consent requirements.

A resource consent is a type of 'contract' between a resource user and the people of Taranaki which is administered by the Council. Consents have conditions which seek to protect the long-term sustainability of natural resources.

Resource consents are required to:

• take, use, dam or divert water
• discharge contaminants onto or into land, air or water
  erect, use or disturb structures in the coastal marine area
• erect, use or disturb structures in, on, under or over river or lake beds
• install groundwater bores or wells

Recently the Council processed over 600 consent applications per year, although few involved formal hearings. The Council places strong emphasis on consultation between the parties involved and informal pre-hearing meetings are held for all notified consent applications. Regional plans now permit activities with insignificant environmental effects, which previously required consents.

Compliance monitoring and enforcement is a crucial part of the Council's resource management role. Every activity that has a resource consent is monitored to make sure that the conditions of the consent are met. Most of the costs of consent processing and monitoring are recovered from the consent applicants and holders.

Related documents     Consent Processing and Administration Annual Report   Resource Management Act guidelines   Regional plans and guides     Guide to the Resource Management Act

Council Consents staff are available to assist with any queries you may have.

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