The Ministry for the Environment’s two yearly Resource Management Act survey of local authorities showed a big difference in performance among councils.
In 2007/8:
- 51,960 resource consent applications were processed through to a decision.
- 0.74 per cent (385) of resource consent applications were declined.
- 4.7 per cent (2409) of resource consent applications were publicly notified.
- 1.9 per cent (975) of resource consent applications were notified to affected parties only (limited notification).
- 69 per cent of resource consent applications were processed on time.
The councils which were best at processing consents on time were:
Stratford District Council processed 97 applications and 100% were processed on time.
Buller District Council 130 – 100%
Taranaki Regional Council 401 – 100%
Matamata Piako District Council 281 – 99%
Waitaki District Council 157 – 99%
Kapiti District Council 317 – 99%
Western Bay of Plenty District Council 431 – 99%
Northland Regional Council 904 – 99%
Wellington Regional Council 703 – 99%
The worst performing were:
Environment Canterbury which processed 3,374 applications and managed only 29% on time.
Westland District Council 183 – 30%
Far North District Council 609 – 37%
Waimate District Council 70 – 41%
Carterton District Council 106 – 42%
Auckland City Council 5,434 – 45%
Whakatane District Council 287 – 45%
Gisborne District Council 525 – 50%
The Waitaki District lies within the boundaries of two regional councils – Environment Canterbury and the Otago Regional Council.
Anecdotal evidence which points to major frustrations with Canterbury and fewer problems with Otago is supported by this report. Environment Canterbury was the worst in the country at processing consents on time and Otago which processed 734 managed to do 67% on time.
The table with results for all councils is at the link above.
The full report is here.
Homepaddock 