Making a submission
In certain circumstances you can make a submission on a resource consent application.
If a resource consent application has been publicly notified, or you have been served with notice as an affected party to a limited notified application, you can make a submission on the application. Making a submission on an application is the most significant way for the public to influence the resource consent process. The Council (or the appointed hearing commissioner(s)) is required to consider all submissions and submissions are the way that we and the applicant can take into account any views, comments or concerns about the resource consent application.
Steps to making a submission
If you are thinking about whether to make a submission on a resource consent application, we recommend you do the following:
- read the resource consent application to learn about the proposal and its potential effects
- review the plans and/or drawings so you clearly understand what is proposed
- consider speaking with the applicant if you haven’t already done so
- discuss the application with our staff or a planning consultant if there is anything that is unclear
- you may wish to review the Southland District Plan or check regional plans to understand the planning and policy context, and the environmental issues
- carefully consider the effects the activity may have on you and the environment.
When a resource consent application is notified, you have 20 working days to make a submission.
Submissions can:
- support the application
- oppose the application
- support or oppose parts of the application
- neither support nor oppose (be neutral).
If you know other people or groups that also want to make a submission on a resource consent application, then you could consider making a joint submission (for example by forming a community group and appointing a spokesperson).
When making a submission, you also need to indicate whether you wish to be heard in support of your submission. This means you wish to speak to your submission at a hearing. All submissions will be considered by Council (or the appointed hearing commissioner(s)) regardless of whether you wish to be heard.
A submission form for resource consent applications is available from us. The closing date for submissions is always set out in the public notice or service of notice for the resource consent application.
A submission should be concise, to the point and clearly detail:
- any issues or concerns you have about possible environmental effects, and how you would like these to be addressed.
- if you think a proposal could go ahead with certain conditions to manage specific environmental effects, state what you think the conditions should be and why
- if you think the effects of a proposal are so serious that it should not go ahead, state what you think these effects are and why.
- include any maps, diagrams and professional opinions that support your submission
- focus on the environmental effects, positive or negative
- indicate whether you want to speak at a hearing.
Make sure that your submission does not:
- include any personal feelings you have about the Council or its staff
- refer to issues or effects that are not related to the proposal you are submitting on
- raise matters that are not within our control
- raise the issue of your business being affected by a competitor as trade competition is not a valid issue for consideration under the Resource Management Act 1991.
Submissions that are frivolous, vexatious or offensive can be struck out by the Council (or the appointed hearing commissioner(s)). If you are quoting independent experts, make sure they actually are independent and have the expertise to give evidence, or your submission may be struck out.
Further information
Read the useful guide on the Ministry for the Environment website, which provides more information on making a submission on a resource consent.