Submissions

Preparing a submission

A submission must be in writing and include:

• the reasons for making the submission
• the decision and general nature of and conditions sought of the consent authority
• whether or not the submitter wishes to be heard in support of the submission.

The written submission should also state:

• the full name, address and telephone number of the person/body making the submission
• the name of the applicant and the application number
• whether the submission is in support or opposition to the application. All submissions must be signed and dated by the submitter or a duly authorised agent acting on behalf of the submitter.

If you think that modifications to the proposal would help meet your concerns, you may wish to suggest conditions you would like imposed if the application is to be approved.

Explain exactly which part of the application you support or want changed.

Explain why you wish Environment Canterbury to make the change you are asking for.
Include any evidence to support your argument. Attach copied or printed material to your submission if you wish.
Remember:

• Be specific.
• Keep it short.
• Write clearly.
• Use simple language.
• Keep to the point.
• Concentrate on the issue in question.

Environment Canterbury has a form entitled "Submission on an Application for a Resource Consent" that sets out the above information.The form is available from Customer Services, or;

 Download printable submission form  32kb

You may also submit your submission online .

 Submissions must be received, either by post, hand delivery, email or fax, at Environment Canterbury's office in Christchurch no later than 5pm on the closing day for submissions.  A copy of the submission must also be forwarded to the applicant as soon as practicable after serving the submission on Environment Canterbury.

If you wish to speak at the hearing, you will be notified of the date, time and place of the hearing.

What happens to your submission?

After all the submissions to a resource consent application have been received, Environment Canterbury staff will collate and summarise them to assist the Hearings Committee.

It may be that Environment Canterbury will arrange a pre-hearing meeting to clarify issues and if possible resolve them informally rather than going directly to a formal hearing.

What is a hearing?

A hearing is a formal legal process for considering a resource consent application and submissions on it. It gives the applicant and all submitters the chance to formally present their case to the regional council through its Hearing Committee or commissioner.

A Hearings Committee usually consists of one or more regional councillors.  Environment Canterbury technical staff are usually also on hand to advise the committee.

A commissioner may be appointed by Environment Canterbury to carry out the functions of a Hearings Committee at times when a Hearings Committee is not available or otherwise appropriate.

Sometimes there may be a joint hearing involving applications to Environment Canterbury and a district council for the same project.

Although a hearing is a process with legal standing under the Resource Management Act, hearings are not unduly formal. However, to enable the committee to make a well-informed decision, certain rules apply. Most importantly, only Hearings Committee members or the appointed commissioner may question any party or witness. There is no cross-examination.

Before the hearing, the council officer's report and recommendation will have been distributed to the applicant and the submitters and to the Regulatory Hearings Committee.

You will be given an approximate time when your submission will be heard.  If you arrive early you will be given a seat and you will be expected to wait quietly until it is your turn to speak.  When it is your turn to present your submission the chairperson will ask you to speak to the committee.

To make your submission more effective:

• You do not need to read out your written submission word for word - the council has already read this and taken note of its contents.
• Explain clearly what you want.
• Before the hearing, read the staff report and recommendation relating to your submission. You will then be able to start your talk by asking for any changes you want.
• Be specific about exactly which words you want changed and why.
• Keep to the point.
• Keep it short.

It may help to make notes beforehand so that you cover all the points you want to make.

You may wish to show pictures or charts to illustrate your point. It is helpful if you have copies of such pictures or charts for the committee and others at the hearing.

You may wish to call witnesses to provide technical evidence to support your case. If so, please advise Environment Canterbury at least five days beforehand to check that enough time will be provided.

It is likely the Hearings Committee members or commissioner will ask you questions. They want to have a clear understanding of what you want.

Evidence may be written or spoken in either English or Maori. A Maori interpreter will be provided if a participant at the hearing requests this at least two weeks before the hearing.

After the hearing, Environment Canterbury will take time to consider all the issues before making a decision. The applicant and all submitters will be notified of the decision by mail.