Environmental Effects and Assessment

Question 1

Determine Activity Status

Answer 1

• Find out the activity status of each proposed activity and the clauses/conditions of each rule
• Arrange to meet with Council Planners (essential part of the planning phase)

Question 2

Rule Conditions

Answer 2

• Provide guidance on Effects Assessment
• Each rule, with the exception of non-complying and prohibited rules, may contain conditions/clauses which indicate the matters that need to be met for the activity status to be applied

Question 3

Rule Conditions

Answer 3

Rules do not necessarily need to include all activity.

Question 4

What is an Assessment of Environmental Effects

Answer 4

The final outcome of the AEE process is an accurate and objective statement about the effects of your proposal on the environment. The statement will have taken into account whether the proposal has avoided, mitigated or remedied any adverse effects on the environment and people.

Question 5

What needs to be included in an AEE

Answer 5

1) Description of proposed activity
2) Assessment of actual and potential effects on the environment
3) Where effects are likely to be significant, a description of available alternatives
4) Discussion of risks to environment from hazardous substances and installations
5) For contaminants an assessment of the nature of the discharge and sensitivity of receiving environment
6) Description of how adverse effects may be avoided, remedied or mitigated
7) Identifications of person effected and consultation undertaken
8) Where an effect needs to be controlled, details of proposed monitoring

Question 6

Identification of Effect

Answer 6

• Land, water, flora and fauna
• People
• Infrastructure
• Traffic and parking
• Cumulative effects

Question 7

Rank or Quantify Effect

Answer 7

1) No effect
2) Minor effect
3) Major or significant effect
4) Critical Effect

Question 8

Is Monitoring a Mitigation Strategy

Answer 8

Monitoring is not a form of mitigation

Question 9

Permitted Baseline

Answer 9

Refers to what is permitted to occur without resource consent. Any consideration of effects therefore in comparison to what effect could occur as a result of permitted activity.

Question 10

Existing Consented Activities

Answer 10

A consented activity is considered to be a part of the existing environment and the assessment needs to account for the effects of that activity before adding the effects of the proposed activity.

Question 11

Consultation

Answer 11

Not a requirement under the Act. However, depending on the scale and nature of the activity, some consultation is generally recommended

Question 12

The Process

Answer 12

1) Receipting the application
2) Initial Investigations
3) Notification or Non-notification
4) Draft Conditions
5) Final Decision

Question 13

Once Granted Consent

Answer 13

• Read conditions
• Inform council when consent has been exercised
• Consents have max duration of 35 years
• Consent holders responsibility to meet conditions
• Council can recoup costs for monitoring of consent