What is a plan change?

The RMA requires the provisions in the District Plan to be reviewed every 10 years. However, it is best practice for the District Plan to be subject to ongoing monitoring and review. We actively monitor the effectiveness of the District Plan and will regularly initiate plan changes to respond to emerging issues.

The RMA outlines the plan change process that we are required to follow. Consultation and community involvement, including pre-consultation, notification, submission and hearing processes, are important steps in the plan change process.

1. Initial issue identification and pre-consultation process. 
2. Plan change and section 32 report assessing costs and benefits produced.
3. Plan change and section 32 approved by the Council for public notification.
4. Public notified for submissions (20 working days).
5. Public notification of summary of submissions for further submissions (10 working days).
6. Hearings.
7. Public notification of decisions.
8. Appeals (30 working days to lodge). 
9. Plan change is operative.

This whole process can take up to two years. During this time there is ongoing monitoring and review.

• In most cases we will consult those affected before notifying a plan change. The level of consultation required will depend on the nature of the plan change. 
• We will produce a plan change document that includes an explanation of the proposed changes and a section 32 report which considers the appropriateness of the plan change and assesses the costs and benefits of the environmental, economic, social and cultural effects anticipated from the plan change. 
• When a plan change is notified any member of the public may make a submission in writing on the prescribed form (Form 5) and explain why they support or oppose the plan change. Submissions are called for over a period of at least 20 working days. 
• Once all submissions are received they are summarised and notified. A submitter can appeal the Council decision to the Environment Court within 30 working day. If you are considering lodging an appeal on a plan change, it is recommended that you obtain independent legal advice.
• Certain other people can make further submissions in writing on the prescribed form (Form 6).  Further submissions cannot identify new issues, but can support or oppose the contents of original submissions. Further submissions are called for over a period of at least 10 working days. The following people can make further submissions:
  1. Any person representing a relevant aspect of the public interest;
  2. Any person that has an interest in the proposed policy statement or plan greater than the interest that the general public has;
  3. The local authority itself.
• The Council will then hold a hearing, if required, so submitters may verbally present their submissions. After the hearing the Council then decides to accept or reject each submission received, in whole or in part. The Council will then publicly notify its decision. 

Prior to the RMA Amendment Act 2009 all proposed plan changes had legal effect from the date of public notification.

As from 1 October 2009 the legal effect of the rules of proposed Plan Changes are now subject to sections 86A to 86G of the RMA. These sections set out certain circumstances when rules have legal effect, including if they apply to significant indigenous vegetation, significant habitats of indigenous fauna, historic heritage or aquaculture activities.

Whether provisions within proposed Plan Changes have legal effect or not is stated on the individual plan change pages, and the Plan Changes and Private Plan Changes page.

In addition to the existing rules within the District Plan, resource consent (including for subdivision) is required for activities that trigger rules with legal effect within proposed Plan Changes. 

The following tips are useful when making submissions.  Ensure that you use the appropriate form provided (form 5 or 6) and: 

• Make clear and easy to read points. 
• Include your contact details. 
• Identify whether you wish to speak at the hearing or not.
• Identify if you support or oppose the plan change, in whole or in part. 
• Detail the specific part of the District Plan your submission is about and suggest how your concerns could be resolved (the relief sought).

Your submission should only include any issues that are relevant to the plan change as other matters will not be able to be considered by the Council when making its decision. Please note your submission, including your personal information, will be publicly available as part of the Council’s decision-making process.