Resource consent changes
A number of Resource Management Act changes come into effect today (18 October).
One of the big changes is the new Permitted Boundary Activity process.
This change will make the planning approval process easier and cheaper should you want to build within your boundary setbacks so long as you have your neighbour’s written approval.
There are some nuances with the legislation though and it’s quite specific on what rules and neighbours are looked at. A project will continue to require a resource consent if it breaches any district plan rules other than boundary rules.
You may have heard that there will also be a new Fast Track process for resource consents if your proposal has a controlled activity status under the Waikato District Plan.
Fast Track consents are required to be processed in a maximum of 10 working days instead of 20 days. Controlled activities generally have localised effects and a common example in district is a re-sited dwelling.
One of the big changes to the Resource Management Act is how natural hazards are assessed for subdivisions. As a result of the changes, developers are now required to provide a risk assessment as part of their geotechnical report for subdivision. This increases the rigor of the upfront assessment to make sure the land is suitable for development.
We are encouraging our customers to make sure your geotechnical engineer is aware of what’s required.
In addition, how Council determines if a resource consent application needs to be notified will change from today. There are certain types of proposals that will be excluded from public notification and, in some cases, excluded from limited notification.
This information is just the headline changes. So if you're not sure if it affects you please call our Duty Planner Service for more information.
Our intention is to make things easier and cheaper for our customers and our staff.
For more information, visit our website or give me a call: www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz...
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.4% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26.3% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.3% ... It is complicated
Derelict Tokanui Hospital site in line for a clean-up
Derelict Tokanui Hospital buildings will be demolished and contaminated land cleaned up so the site can be offered back to iwi.
The former psychiatric hospital, southeast of Te Awamutu, sits on land taken from Ngāti Maniapoto under the Public Works Act in 1910.
Poll: Are you a Te Huia fan?
All three Hamilton MPs appear to be united behind the retention of the Te Huia passenger rail service between Hamilton and Auckland, as well as potentially expanding it to Tauranga.
But whether Hamilton East’s Ryan Hamilton, Hamilton West’s Tama Potaka and soon-to-be Labour list MP Georgie Dansey have the combined power to shunt transport minister Chris Bishop and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon onto their line of thinking remains to be seen.
Are you a Te Huia fan? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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81.6% Yes
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18.4% No
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