Processing of Resource Consent Applications

Submissions lodged

Where an application is given full public notification, any person may make a written submission except a trade competitor. Trade competitors can only make a submission if they are directly affected by an effect of the activity that adversely affects the environment and does not relate to trade competition or the effects of trade competition (section 308B).

If an application  is given limited notification, only those parties served with a notice of the application can make a submission and trade competitor rights to make a submission are again clearly defined (section 96(4)). Submissions must be lodged with the consent authority by the 20th working day after public notification (section 97). Submissions must also be served on the applicant. 

Submissions must follow Form 13 and state:

• The name of the submitter

• The application which is being submitted on

• A description of the application (such as proposed activity and location)

• The specific parts of the application to which the submission relates

• The reasons for the submission

• The decision sought from the consent authority (including any conditions)  

• Whether or not the submitter wishes to be heard.