Getting ready for the hearing
The council will tell you the date and time of the hearing at least 10 working days beforehand. You can start getting ready well before then, preparing and practising your statement, and gathering your evidence. Nothing beats preparation for getting your point across on the day.
- It is a good idea to prepare a written statement to read out at the hearing. Identify the key points you want to get across, and back them up in your statement.
- Practise reading out your statement. You want to get it right and to look confident and comfortable. Practising will make sure you do.
- Think about what questions the hearing committee might ask you, and how you can answer them.
- Go to a council hearing beforehand to see how it works and get a feel for the process. You don't want surprises on the day.
At least five working days before the hearing, you'll get a copy of the council officer's report about the resource consent or notice of requirement. It is important that you read the report before the hearing.
- Think about what's in the report. Is there anything you want to deal with in your statement?
Pre-hearing meetings
You might be invited or be required to attend a pre-hearing meeting. The applicant, other submitters and or other people such as the council officer who prepared the report may also attend the pre-hearing meeting. A pre-hearing meeting can be a useful way to clarify matters or to try and sort out issues before a hearing in a relatively informal setting.
If required to attend a pre-hearing meeting, you must attend. If you don't have a reasonable excuse and do not attend the pre-hearing meeting the council can decline to process the application (if you are an applicant) or to consider your submission (if you are a submitter). You will not be able to appeal or be involved in the decision at a later date.
Everyone at the hearing will get a copy of a report about what went on at the pre-hearing meeting, including the issues that were agreed on and those that are outstanding. The hearing committee must consider this report in making their decision.
