Updated 11 September 2018
The RMA provides some flexibility for the Council in determining the content of this Plan, although it must contain three core elements: Objectives, Policies, and Rules. This Plan does not include optional explanatory information, which is included in the background reports to the Plan prepared under section 32 of the RMA. When interpreting the Plan, guidance is provided by objectives and policies and the rules set out the actual requirements for subdivision, use and development. In this Plan:
- Objectives – describe the desired outcome for a particular resource management issue;
- Policies – describe the direction to be taken to achieve the objective, and outline the considerations specific to the achievement of a particular objective;
- Rules – implement the direction of the policies.
When using the Plan, the starting point is the identification on the Plan Maps (Part B) of the site or area in which the activity is being considered. Here, it can be determined what zone or zones the proposed activity falls within, and whether any special sections of the Plan apply.
The next step is to determine what status an activity has in the relevant zone. Activities are described in the Tables of Activity Status at the beginning of each zone-based Chapters. Often defined terms are used in these tables that are further described in the Chapter 3 - Definitions. In most circumstances an activity that is not classified in the Table of Activity Status is identified as a Discretionary Activity by default (which reverses the ‘permissive presumption’ of the RMA). In the Tables of Activity Status outlined in each Chapter, the symbols have the following meanings:
Table 1A.2: Activity Status
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Status
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Implication
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P -
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Permitted
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Does not require a resource consent provided the activity complies with any relevant standards, terms and conditions specified in the Plan.
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C -
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Controlled
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Requires a resource consent, but must be granted by the Council with or without conditions unless the information provided is insufficient to determine if the activity is a Controlled Activity. Matters over which the Council reserves control and conditions that can be applied are specified in the Plan. In addition, the activity must comply with any relevant standards, terms or conditions specified in the Plan.
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RD -
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Restricted Discretionary
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Requires a resource consent that may be granted with or without conditions or declined by the Council, subject only to consideration of the matters to which discretion is restricted, as outlined in the Plan. Any conditions of consent are also limited to the matters to which discretion is restricted. The activity must also comply with any standards, terms or conditions that apply to the activity.
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D -
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Discretionary
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Requires a resource consent. The activity may be granted consent with or without conditions or declined at Council’s discretion. The activity must comply with any standards, terms or conditions specified in the Plan.
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NC -
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Non-Complying
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The activity may be granted a resource consent with or without conditions and is generally not anticipated within the zone.
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PR -
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Prohibited
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The activity is prohibited within the zone. No application may be made for such an activity and a resource consent cannot be granted for the activity.
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n/a -
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Non-Applicable
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This term is used when the activity described in the Table of Activity status is not relevant to the particular zone in which this symbol appears.
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Once the level of activity status is determined, reference can then be made to the relevant rules that apply. These rules are detailed in sections in each Chapter. These rules will, where relevant, also direct consideration to other relevant sections of the Plan, such as requirements for parking or access.
Reference must also be made to any Plan Areas identified on the Plan Maps (Part B). These include areas such as the Flood Hazard Plan Area, Special Ecological Areas, and Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes. If an activity is within or adjacent to one of these Plan Areas, there may also be a requirement to obtain resource consent for an activity, or rules of the Plan that must be met to avoid the need for resource consent. This process is summarised in Figure 1A.1 How to Use the Plan below.
Figure 1A.1: How to Use the Plan.
Definitions from this section
activity/activities
council
flood hazard plan area
outstanding natural features and landscapes
the plan
plan areas
RMA
site
subdivision