Resource Management Act
Key Facts About Local Authorities and RMA Processes in 2007/2008
- About the RMA survey of local authorities
- Five key facts from 2007/2008
- Resource consent application processing
- Resource consent applications processed on time
- Charges for resource consent applications
- Good practice by local authorities
- Māori participation in RMA processes
- Plan changes and variations
- Resource consent applications processed by individual local authorities
- Next survey
About the RMA survey of local authorities
Every two years the Ministry for the Environment carries out the Resource Management Act (RMA) survey of local authorities in New Zealand. The survey includes questions about key aspects of RMA implementation:
- the numbers and types of resource consent applications processed
- the time taken to process resource consent applications
- charges to applicants for resource consent applications
- good practice in resource consent processing
- monitoring, compliance, complaints and enforcement
- Māori participation in RMA processes
- the numbers and types of plan changes and variations.
The purpose of the survey is to:
- help the Minister for the Environment monitor how the RMA is being put into practice
- highlight trends over time in implementation of the RMA, as well as areas where performance by local authorities may require greater attention
- promote good practice under the RMA and improve local authorities’ performance
- enable each local authority to compare its performance with others
- provide local authorities with information so they can more accurately respond to enquiries about RMA processes.
This brochure highlights the key facts on RMA processes for the 2007/2008 financial year for the 84 local authorities that responded to the survey. The full report on the Resource Management Act: Two-yearly Survey of Local Authorities 2007/2008 can be found on the Ministry for the Environment’s website at: www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/rma/annual-survey.
Five key facts from 2007/2008
- 51,960 resource consent applications were processed through to a decision.
- 0.74 per cent (385) of resource consent applications were declined.
- 4.7 per cent (2409) of resource consent applications were publicly notified.
- 1.9 per cent (975) of resource consent applications were notified to affected parties only (limited notification).
- 69 per cent of resource consent applications were processed on time.
Resource consent application processing
- 51,960 resource consent applications were processed through to a decision.
- 4.7 per cent (2409) of resource consent applications were publicly notified.
- 1.9 per cent (975) of resource consent applications were notified to affected parties only (limited notification).
- Local authority officers acting under delegated authority made 85 per cent of decisions on resource consent applications.
- 0.74 per cent (385) of resource consent applications were declined.
- 1.4 per cent (722) of resource consent decisions were appealed.
Resource consent applications processed, by notification and consent type
| Notification type | Subdivision | Land use | Coastal | Water | Discharge | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notified | 353 | 711 | 271 | 680 | 394 | 2,409 |
| Limited notified | 166 | 515 | 69 | 71 | 154 | 975 |
| Non-notified | 11,263 | 30,212 | 972 | 2,063 | 3,994 | 48,504 |
| Total | 11,782 | 31,438 | 1,312 | 2,814 | 4,542 | 51,888 |
Source: 2007/2008 RMA survey data.
Note: This table excludes some data from the one local authority that did not differentiate between notified and limited notified resource consent applications.
Resource consent applications processed on time
- Overall, 69 per cent of resource consent applications were processed on time.
- 52 per cent of notified resource consent applications were processed on time.
- 57 per cent of limited notified resource consent applications were processed on time.
- 70 per cent of non-notified resource consent applications were processed on time.
- Section 37 was used to extend the time limits for 28 per cent of all resource consent applications.
Percentage of resource consent applications processed on time, by consent type
| Consent type | Percentage of resource consent applications processed on time (%) |
|---|---|
| Subdivision | 70 |
| Land use | 70 |
| Coastal | 76 |
| Water | 66 |
| Discharge | 59 |
Source: 2007/2008 RMA survey data.
Charges for resource consent applications
Average charges to applicants for resource consent application processing varied depending on the type of notification and issuing authority.
Average charges to applicants for resource consent applications
| Notification type | Territorial authorities | |
|---|---|---|
| Subdivision | Land-use | |
| Notified | $7,147.66 | $23,933.81 |
| Limited notified | $4,816.05 | $4,139.09 |
| Non-notified | $1,243.02 | $861.39 |
| Notification type | Regional councils | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land-use | Water | Coastal | Discharge | |
| Notified | $6,421.38 | $5,365.46 | $7,165.08 | $9923.92 |
| Limited notified | $2,652.83 | $4,223.46 | $1,067.00 | $3597.93 |
| Non-notified | $810.88 | $717.40 | $731.13 | $777.87 |
Source: 2007/2008 RMA survey data.
Good practice by local authorities
The results of the RMA survey are used to highlight and monitor the use of good practice by local authorities to improve performance in resource management functions.
- 90 per cent of local authorities provided applicants with a checklist defining the environmental effects that must be addressed in resource consent applications for controlled and restricted discretionary activities.
- 76 per cent of local authorities followed a structured process to identify and address environmental effects.
- 65 per cent of local authorities had internal notes or checklists to guide staff on when to notify a resource consent application.
- 62 per cent of local authorities had internal guidance notes or checklists to help staff identify potentially affected parties.
- 99 per cent of local authorities monitored whether resource consent applications are processed on time.
- 85 per cent of local authorities formally monitored and reported on their resource consent application processing performance, the results of which are made available to ratepayers.
Monitoring, compliance, complaints and enforcement
- 79 per cent of resource consents that required monitoring were monitored.
- 84 per cent of monitored resource consents complied with their conditions.
- 161,257 complaints about alleged breaches of the RMA were received.
- 54 per cent of complaints were resolved by formal enforcement methods.
- 44 per cent of breaches of resource consent conditions were resolved by formal enforcement methods.
- 1530 infringement notices were issued.
Percentage of local authorities monitoring and reporting on their responsibilities
| Responsibility | Regional councils |
Unitary authorities |
Territorial authorities |
All |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of the environment | Monitor | 100% | 80% | 42% | 53% |
| Report | 100% | 80% | 30% | 43% | |
| Suitability and effectiveness of policies and plans | Monitor | 100% | 60% | 64% | 69% |
| Report | 75% | 20% | 35% | 40% | |
| Delegated/transferred functions | Monitor | 73% | 20% | 44% | 46% |
| Report | 55% | 0% | 29% | 30% | |
| Compliance with resource consent conditions | Monitor | 100% | 80% | 97% | 96% |
| Report | 100% | 80% | 47% | 57% | |
| Complaints register | Monitor | 100% | 80% | 91% | 92% |
| Report | 100% | 80% | 53% | 61% | |
Source: 2007/2008 RMA survey data.
Māori participation in RMA processes
- 88 per cent of local authorities had standard resource consent conditions covering the discovery of sites or items significant to iwi/hapū.
- 24 per cent of local authorities involved iwi/hapū in resource consent monitoring.
- 56 per cent of local authorities made a budgetary commitment to iwi/hapū participation in RMA processes.
- 60 per cent of local authorities had written criteria or a set policy for staff to determine when iwi/hapū should be considered an affected party to resource consent applications.
- 30 per cent of local authorities had a policy requiring a cultural impact assessment as part of the resource consent application when a site, species or resource is of concern to iwi/hapū.
- 57 per cent of local authorities had formal memoranda of understanding, protocols, joint management agreements or service-level agreements with iwi/hapū, and 63 per cent had informal agreements.
Plan changes and variations
- 176 council initiated and 41 privately initiated plan changes to operative district or regional plans were completed.
- 35 variations to proposed district or regional plans were completed.
Resource consent applications processed by individual local authorities
Local authorities are grouped according to their authority type and, in the case of the 68 territorial authorities, the volume of resource consent applications they process.
Resource consent applications processed by local authorities and the percentage processed on time
| Group | Local authority |
Number of resource consent applications processed |
Percentage processed on time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Territorial authorities group 1 | Carterton District Council | 106 | 42% |
| Gore District Council | 75 | 81% | |
| Kaikoura District Council | 87 | 75% | |
| Kawerau District Council | 18 | 72% | |
| Mackenzie District Council | 97 | 76% | |
| Opotiki District Council | 75 | 89% | |
| Otorohanga District Council | 92 | 78% | |
| Rangitikei District Council | Not provided | Not provided | |
| Stratford District Council | 93 | 100% | |
| Tararua District Council | 107 | 93% | |
| Waimate District Council | 70 | 41% | |
| Wairoa District Council | 62 | 77% | |
| Waitomo District Council | 62 | 95% | |
| Territorial authorities group 2 | Buller District Council | 130 | 100% |
| Central Hawke’s Bay District Council | 150 | 79% | |
| Clutha District Council | 133 | 75% | |
| Grey District Council | 161 | 69% | |
| Hauraki District Council | 185 | 68% | |
| Hurunui District Council | 258 | 83% | |
| Kaipara District Council | 271 | 79% | |
| Manawatu District Council | 294 | 97% | |
| Masterton District Council | 234 | 71% | |
| Matamata−Piako District Council | 281 | 99% | |
| Ruapehu District Council | 171 | 80% | |
| South Taranaki District Council | 272 | 94% | |
| South Waikato District Council | 112 | 56% | |
| South Wairarapa District Council | 238 | 90% | |
| Upper Hutt City Council | 291 | 76% | |
| Waitaki District Council | 157 | 99% | |
| Wanganui District Council | 249 | 69% | |
| Westland District Council | 183 | 30% | |
| Whakatane District Council | 287 | 45% | |
| Territorial authorities group 3 | Ashburton District Council | 310 | 70% |
| Central Otago District Council | 519 | 72% | |
| Far North District Council | 609 | 37% | |
| Franklin District Council | 395 | 90% | |
| Hastings District Council | 632 | 81% | |
| Horowhenua District Council | 332 | 60% | |
| Hutt City Council | 597 | 83% | |
| Invercargill City Council | 345 | 81% | |
| Kapiti Coast District Council | 317 | 99% | |
| Napier City Council | 339 | 88% | |
| New Plymouth District Council | 532 | 94% | |
| Palmerston North City Council | 344 | 93% | |
| Papakura District Council | 306 | 74% | |
| Porirua City Council | 331 | 82% | |
| Rotorua District Council | 564 | 95% | |
| Selwyn District Council | 494 | 62% | |
| Southland District Council | 395 | 53% | |
| Taupo District Council | 399 | 92% | |
| Thames−Coromandel District Council | 562 | 78% | |
| Timaru District Council | 368 | 54% | |
| Waimakariri District Council | 596 | 82% | |
| Waipa District Council | 603 | 98% | |
| Western Bay of Plenty District Council | 431 | 99% | |
| Whangarei District Council | 487 | 66% | |
| Territorial authorities group 4 | Auckland City Council | 5,434 | 45% |
| Christchurch City Council | 2,535 | 67% | |
| Dunedin City Council | 1,010 | 57% | |
| Hamilton City Council | 669 | 99% | |
| Manukau City Council | 1,397 | 35% | |
| North Shore City Council | 2,120 | 67% | |
| Queenstown−Lakes District Council | 1,246 | 76% | |
| Rodney District Council | 1,503 | 84% | |
| Tauranga City Council | 677 | 82% | |
| Waikato District Council | 721 | 65% | |
| Waitakere City Council | 1,491 | 77% | |
| Wellington City Council | 1,051 | 73% | |
| Regional councils | Auckland Regional Council | 1,162 | 87% |
| Environment Bay of Plenty | 1,200 | 74% | |
| Environment Canterbury | 3,373 | 29% | |
| Environment Southland | 868 | 74% | |
| Environment Waikato | 1,216 | 81% | |
| Hawke’s Bay Regional Council | 671 | 96% | |
| Horizons Regional Council | 334 | 74% | |
| Northland Regional Council | 904 | 99% | |
| Otago Regional Council | 734 | 67% | |
| Taranaki Regional Council | 401 | 100% | |
| Wellington Regional Council | 703 | 99% | |
| West Coast Regional Council | 662 | 93% | |
| Unitary authorities | Chatham Islands Council | 4 | 100% |
| Gisborne District Council | 525 | 50% | |
| Marlborough District Council | 1,934 | 53% | |
| Nelson City Council | 472 | 57% | |
| Tasman District Council | 1,135 | 90% |
Source: 2007/2008 RMA survey data.
Note: The percentages for resource consent applications processed within time limits should be interpreted with caution. A resource consent application may be processed outside of the time limit at the request of the applicant, and in this situation does not reflect any inefficiency on the part of the local authority.
Next survey
The next Resource Management Act survey of local authorities will cover the 2010/2011 financial year. The survey questionnaire will be released to local authorities before 30 June 2010 and responses will be collected after 30 June 2011.
