Resource Consents - Forms and Information - Resource Consents
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Subdivisions
Subdivisions usually require a resource consent and are generally possible if the new lots can accommodate buildings that comply with the District Plan, and:
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can be serviced
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have no stability, flooding or other hazard problems
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are accessible
The Council considers the above matters and subdivision design when assessing each application.
Applying for a Resource Consent
What will it cost?
There is a fee for processing applications, and a deposit must be paid with your application. Further costs may be incurred during processing, which are charged for after processing completion.
Section 36 of the Resource Management Act 1991 allows councils to charge for actual and reasonable costs of processing of resource consents. Almost all councils now charge for this work. Timaru District Council takes the view that as the applicant benefits from the granting of a resource consent, the applicant should pay most of the cost involved rather than the ratepayers of the District.
Council's fees are contained in the council schedule of Fees and Charges. The Duty Planner can provide an estimate of the likely costs of processing an application.
Time spent by Council staff giving out information and advice prior to an application being lodged is not charged, provided it is kept to a reasonable level.
Resource Consent Monitoring
Currently, Council's policy is to charge a monitoring fee for every land use consent. A monitoring fee of $150.00 is charged when a single site inspection is required, $200.00 when two site inspections are required and $75.00 per inspection when follow up monitoring is required.
How long are resource consents valid for? Land use consents run indefinitely, unless otherwise specified in the consent. In some instances, the Council may limit the term of the land use consent (eg, to five years).
When a consent is granted, a consent holder has five years to give effect to the consent. If, for example, you get a resource consent in 2004, but don't do anything until 2010, then your resource consent would have lapsed and you would have to reapply. However, the Council has some discretion in this regard and can extend the period for giving effect to a consent if it is satisfied that substantial progress has been made.
Compliance and Enforcement
If anyone undertakes an activity without obtaining any necessary resource consent the Council is obliged to investigate and ensure that necessary consents are obtained, or take enforcement action to stop the activity.
If an activity is granted consent the Council is required to monitor the activity to ensure it complies with the consent and any specified conditions. Council can recover the costs of monitoring consents. You, or someone representing you - such as a builder, landscape architect, engineer, architect, surveyor or planning consultant - must complete an Application for Resource Consent and take, or post, it to the Planning Unit of the Timaru District Council. You will need to obtain an application form insert link and name of form from the Council.
