Your local council
If you think something has been done or is about to be done that will affect your own or the wider environment, or if you disagree with the way your council is handling a resource issue in your area, get in touch with your council. There are 12 regional councils, 69 city or district councils, and four unitary authorities (which do the job of both a regional and city council).
The RMA gives city, district and regional councils the power to make environmental decisions. It's your council that decides, in the majority of cases, who's allowed to do what, and what's likely to affect neighbours, the community and the natural environment. Councils base their resource decisions on the RMA, regulations made under the RMA, policy statements, and their district and regional plans. They must consult with their communities when developing plans and policy statements and you should take this opportunity to have a say on what you want for your community.
District and city councils are generally responsible for making decisions regarding:
- the effects of land-use
- the effects of activities on the surface of rivers and lakes
- noise
- subdivision.
Regional councils are generally responsible for making decisions regarding:
- discharges of contaminants, to land, air or water
- water quality and quantity
- the coastal marine area
- soil conservation
- land-use to avoid natural hazards.
Councils can enforce compliance with the RMA and their plans. They can do this by issuing infringement and abatement notices and excessive noise directions when people are not meeting consent conditions or are carrying out an activity which needs a resource consent without one.
Any person, including the council, can seek an enforcement order from the Environment Court if they think the RMA, a resource consent, a provision in a plan, or a designation is not being met. You should consult a lawyer before seeking an enforcement order.
If you are not happy with how council staff or management have addressed your concern, you may wish to take the matter up with the chief executive officer or an elected representative (councillor or community board member).
To find out details about your local council, visit the Local Government New Zealand website or the Local Government online website.
