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How the Environmental Protection Authority works with councils
When an applicant lodges a matter (application for resource consent, notice of requirement and requests for regional plans or private plan change) with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) they must also inform the relevant councils.
Where matters are lodged directly with the EPA, the EPA will work with the relevant council to ensure that the council's views on whether the matter should be referred to a board of inquiry of the Environment Court are presented to the Minister. The EPA expects to also draw on the expert knowledge of the council, particularly in relation to the council's plan and the potential local impacts of a proposal. To facilitate this, the EPA has established a working group to provide advice on developing a formal mechanism for engaging with councils, both pre and post-application.
If the Minister decides to refer a matter to a board of inquiry, councils will have the opportunity to suggest persons for appointment to the board. The Minister will make the final decision on board membership but he will consider the council's suggestions and also the need for the board to have local knowledge.
If the Minister refers a matter to a board of inquiry or the Environment Court, the EPA must commission a report from the relevant local authority. That report must summarise the planning framework and will be considered by the board or Environment Court and made available to all parties.
Councils will have general responsibility for administering and monitoring compliance with any approvals given by boards of inquiry or the Environment Court.
Last updated: 19 November 2009
