Planning

The figures below are based on actual charges for resource consents applied for and processed to a decision during 2009. They are intended to provide a general guide only to the cost of processing resource consent applications.

The figures do not include the costs of monitoring the consent, meeting consent conditions or any other additional costs (ie financial contributions, bonds, surveyor’s and lawyer’s fees etc).

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) sets guidelines for the use of New Zealand's natural and physical resources, in both the urban and rural environment.

Local authorities (ie, district, city and regional councils) are required to implement the RMA and oversee its day to day running. The main way we do this is by drawing up district and regional plans - documents that interpret the objectives of the RMA and translate these into actual rules and laws that apply within specific districts and regions.

Permission must be obtained to carry out activities that are restricted or controlled by the rules set out in the district plan. This is done by applying for a resource consent.