If you are planning a large or complicated development or changing the use of a building or piece of land, you may find a pre-application consultation useful.
Why have a pre-application meeting?
A pre-application meeting can be a useful first step when preparing your application. It is an informal process that allows you to meet Council staff who may be involved in processing your application. A pre-application meeting will help us understand what you are undertaking, and provides us the opportunity to:
- Offer guidance on planning issues that may arise with your proposal/resource consent application
- Help you understand what we will need from you to obtain a resource consent. This improves the likelihood of a complete application when it is lodged
- Identify planning issues early. This can potentially reduce delays, such as requests for further information, which may save you money
How do I set up a pre-application consultation?
Contact our planning enquiries staff by telephone on +64 3 477 4000 or via email at planning@dcc.govt.nz, and we will arrange a meeting. A senior planner will identify which other Council departments should attend. A meeting can be arranged reasonably quickly.
Who will be there?
We will arrange a meeting between you and staff from other departments who are likely to be involved with your application. There will be a senior planner from the Resource Consent team present. Others in attendance may include staff from Three Waters, Transport, City Development, Environmental Health, and Building Services.
Does it cost money?
The cost of a pre-application meeting will ONLY be recovered if you lodge an application for a resource consent. It will be included as part of the fee for processing your resource consent application. There is no cost if you do not lodge an application.
Staff time is charged at the hourly rate of the Resource Consents Team staff involved in the meeting, which is outlined here: Fees and charges Planning fees and charges
Staff time can comprise of meeting administration, research and assessment, meeting attendance, and providing other advice.
Should I expect any agreement reached at the meeting to be final?
A pre-application meeting is not a full analysis of a proposal. It is a service designed to help you prepare your application. It is not the process that decides how your application will be processed.
If the proposal significantly changes between the pre-application meeting and the actual application, the advice given by DCC staff at the pre-application stage may cease to be accurate or relevant.