10 October 2013

Resource consents streamlined under new rules

Fewer residential properties will require Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury resource consent for their earthquake land repairs under new rules that come into effect today.

Minister Gerry Brownlee this week signed off amendments to the Council’s City Plan and Environment Canterbury’s regional plans under the Earthquake Recovery Act, meaning the majority of land repair earthworks on flat residential land will be permitted without requiring resource consents by either the Council or Environment Canterbury.

According to Earthquake Commission estimates, the amendments could reduce the number of consents required by between 70 – 80 per cent for flat land earthquake repairs.

Council Manager, Resource Consents, John Higgins said the Council welcomed the changes. “The amendments mean the majority of repairs for lower level land damage, including repairs for undulating land, localised ponding, lateral spreading, land cracking, settlement or new groundwater springs will become permitted activities. While some of these repairs will require geotechnical engineer oversight and approval, no resource consent will be required.

“The Council and Environment Canterbury are working together to simplify and reduce the turnaround time for processing resource consent applications for residential land owners who have received EQC land settlements.”

Mr Higgins said this wasn’t simply a ‘fast tracking’ exercise. “The amendments allow us to reduce the number of resource consents, delays and costs to landowners as a result of obtaining resource consent from more than one authority while also providing for greater engineering oversight and adherence to performance standards.”

Environment Canterbury Investigations and Monitoring Director Ken Taylor said the changes will ensure property owners can make the best choices when they are repairing their earthquake-damaged land.

“We want to ensure the best environmental outcomes are being achieved while keeping the process as simple as possible for land owners.’’

For more information on whether they require resource consent for their land repair, residential landowners can visit www.ccc.govt.nz/landrepair or contact the Council call centre at 03 941 8999.

ENDS

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