Auckland Council has launched two new resource consent options, making it easier and more affordable to get consent for minor works. Customers can now apply for a fixed fee and a lower deposit option. Each has a simpler assessment process to help save customers time and money.
The update is part of the council’s commitment to make resource consenting more efficient and achieve better value for money for customers.
Deputy Mayor of Auckland and chair of the council’s Value for Money Committee, Desley Simpson, says Auckland Council is committed to making the process as quick and easy as possible for customers “because time is money and delay is cost.”
John Duguid, General Manager of Planning and Resource Consents at Auckland Council says this is one way the council is adapting to changes in the consenting landscape.
"Auckland Council deals with over one third of resource consents in New Zealand – approximately 15,000 resource consents a year or 41 every day.
"We are committed to continuing to improve the efficiency of the service we offer for our customers, and to process straightforward applications as quickly as possible, while responding to an increase in the volume and complexity of resource consent applications.
"The two new options will make it easier for more people to have their straightforward applications turned around quickly, allowing our teams to focus more of their attention on complex applications," he says.
A new ‘specified consent’
This new, lower cost resource consent option is for specific activities which can be processed quickly. It includes:
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minor residential extensions (not in special character areas)
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single houses with no more than two planning rule infringements
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minor applications with prior approval from resource consent unit managers
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minor applications with prior approval from the council’s Built Heritage Implementation team, including very limited works to scheduled heritage places.
A specified consent has a lower deposit of $3000 and can be applied for by following the usual resource consent application process on the Auckland Council website.
A consent for short-term or marginal breaches
A Marginal or Temporary Permitted Activity Notice, or MATPAN, can be applied to an activity that breaches planning rules in a marginal way or for a short period of time, as long as there are no lasting adverse effects.
A MATPAN has a fixed fee of $1900. You cannot currently apply for a MATPAN online. To apply, download the application form and email it to rcregulatorysupportcentral2@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
A complete application means faster decisions
The best way to get your application approved quickly is to make sure it is complete.
Every application needs to include the information that is required by the Resource Management Act. Including all the necessary information up front means planners can start assessing each application straight away, without having to request more information.
Complete applications can be approved in under ten days through the council’s streamline service and eligible applications will be streamlined automatically.
Find out more about the council’s streamline consents service.