You are here: Publications Resource management Making a Submission on a Proposed Plan or Plan Change Online version

What happens next?

Once the council has received all the submissions and further submissions, council officers will usually prepare a report that includes:

a summary of submissions and further submissions
an analysis of all the submissions and further submissions
recommendations about which parts of the plan, plan change or variation should be adopted, removed or modified.

Before the hearing is held, the officer's report is sent to members of the hearing committee and to everyone who made a submission or further submission. The hearing is made up of councillors or independent commissioners who make the final decisions about the proposed plan, plan change or variation.

A hearing is a formal meeting where you can present your submission directly to the council. All hearings are open to the public. You can speak at the hearing if you have made a written submission, and told the council in your written submission that you want to speak at the hearing. You will be given at least 10 working days notice of a hearing. For more information see 'An Everyday Guide to the RMA' booklet 5.2 Appearing at a Council Plan and Plan Change Hearing.

Let the council know if you want to withdraw your request to speak at the hearing. Your written submission will still be considered if you don't speak at the hearing.

You will be sent a copy of the decision and the reasons it was made. The council will also publicly notify its decision.

You can lodge an appeal with the Environment Court if you're unhappy with the decision. The Environment Court will hear the case again.

If you're thinking of appealing a decision, get professional advice before acting.

A lawyer or resource management professional should be able to tell you if you are likely to be successful. Appeals are often complex, expensive and take time. They need to be well thought through. Getting professional advice early can save you significant time and costs later.

If you decide to appeal, you must lodge an appeal with the Environment Court within 30 working days of receiving the decision. For more information see 'An Everyday Guide to the RMA' booklet 6.1 Your Guide to the Environment Court.

If no one appeals against the council's decision, the proposed plan, plan change or variation becomes operative in line with the council's decision. If appeals are lodged with the Environment Court, they have to be resolved before the proposed plan, plan change or variation can become fully operative.

Making a submission on a proposed plan, plan change or variation is a key way to get involved with council decisions under the RMA. If you're thinking about making a submission, make sure you're well informed, that you understand the proposed plan, plan change or variation, and that your submission gets to the point and sticks to the relevant facts.

Ask the council for help if you need to - the RMA aims to achieve a better environment by getting councils and communities working together.

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