Discharge waste into water, into the air, or on to land.
Divert a stream.
Divert or discharge floodwaters.
Build a bridge over a watercourse.
Clear significant areas of vegetation.
Take water other than for domestic use, and depending on the location of the take, for stock requirements.
Undertake major earthworks.
Build a wharf or jetty, or place a mooring.
Read about activities that require a resource consent.

Find out if you need a resource consent by calling Customer Services.

The Resource consent process

During the resource consent process, you have a right to be involved and heard. If you feel you are not getting your say, or you do not understand what is happening, contact Environment Canterbury and ask for assistance.

Need a resource consent application form?

Application costs

When you apply for a resource consent you will be required to pay a fee deposit which in many cases will cover all processing costs. However, if costs are greater than the initial deposit you will be asked to meet the additional expenses. Contact Environment Canterbury.

Yearly user charges

Environment Canterbury requires holders of resource consents to pay for all actual and reasonable costs of compliance monitoring. Normally an account for these costs will be sent out once per year (although for large accounts, consent holders will be billed every six months or quarterly).

Environment Canterbury is required to go through a procedure set out in the Resource Management Act to determine and inform the public of its charging policy in relation to consent monitoring. This information is contained in the published Annual Plan and tells you how charges will be calculated. This allows you to make a reasonable estimate of what the charges are likely to be.

Conditions and monitoring

A resource consent usually has conditions which control the way an activity is carried out. Those conditions are designed to maintain and protect Canterbury's natural resources for other users, both now and in the future.

A resource consent is an important legal document. It is the holder's responsibility to adhere to the conditions of the consent. If you do not adhere to the conditions, you risk enforcement action by Environment Canterbury.

The impact of the activity which is allowed by the consent will be monitored, either by Environment Canterbury or by the consent holder, or by both. For example, the holder of a resource consent for the taking of water from a stream may be required to keep records of the amount of water taken and of stream flows, and give them to Environment Canterbury to be checked. Environment Canterbury may also carry out independent tests.

Activities which do not need a resource consent

If a proposed activity will have very little effect or minor effects on the environment, a resource consent may not be required. However, it is best to check with Environment Canterbury before doing any work to find out if approval for the proposed project is required.

Note: Some activities may require consents from a district council as well as Environment Canterbury. In such situations, applications to both councils may be processed at the same time.