Quality planning – the RMA planning resource

The Quality Planning website, also known as ‘QP’, aims to promote best practice under the Resource Management Act. New and updated guidance notes covering a range of resource management topics are now available on the website.

Auckland City Council planners pay a site visit as part of the
resource consent process

QP is the only dedicated Resource Management Act (RMA) best practice guidance website in New Zealand. It enables information to be easily accessed and updated as RMA case law and practice evolves. It receives over 25,000 visits per month.

Launched in 2001, QP was created to allow practitioners to share best practice and information rather than keep on re-inventing the wheel.

QP is primarily for local authority staff and RMA consultants, but is also useful for councillors and independent commissioners, environmental managers, students, environment and community groups, iwi and others involved in resource management under the RMA.

The website is managed in partnership between the Ministry for the Environment, Local Government New Zealand, the New Zealand Planning Institute, the Resource Management Law Association, and the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors.

There are now over 77 guidance notes on the website. These cover plan development, consent processing, monitoring, enforcement, and a diverse range of other planning topics. This year the Ministry developed several new guidance notes, including guidance on second generation plans, and updated a range of existing guidance notes, including one about environmental monitoring and reporting...

Further new guidance is being developed on coastal, residential and rural issues. Updated enforcement guidance will soon be available.

The QP website gives access to a plans database providing information on the status of RMA plans, links to council plan web pages and to legislation. The website also includes an online library and monthly news update.

QP is important not only as a guide for best practice but also as a foundation for best practice training, targeted council assistance and reviews of council performance.

The Quality Planning website is a live and evolving tool. Visit: www.qualityplanning.org.nz.

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