The RMA requires that all resource consent applications be publicly notified unless they come within specified exceptions. If a resource consent application is not notified, interested parties have no right to make submissions on the application, or to appeal the decision of the consent authority to the Environment Court. The Act also makes provision for limited notification where only people who are adversely affected by the proposed activity are notified and given the opportunity to lodge a submission.
In practice, less than five per cent of applications are publicly notified. Therefore, members of the public have no opportunity to make submissions on the vast majority of resource consent applications, although directly affected parties must normally have given written approval to the proposal as a prerequisite to non-notification.
Who decides on notification?
For information about who decides on notification click here
When are applications not notified?
For information about when applications are not notified click here
Limited notification
Where the requirements listed in paragraphs 1 or 3 of the previous section are met, but where all affected parties have not given their written approval, the application will be given limited notification. In this case only those people who may be adversely affected are notified and can make submissions on the application.
When are adverse effects more than minor?
For information about when adverse effects are more than minor click here
Who are adversely affected parties?
For information about adversely affected parties click here
How are applications notified?
For information about how applications are notified click here
Relevant legal provisions
For relevant legal provisions click here
Further information
For further information click here
