The Planning Unit can provide advice on working within New Zealand's resource management legislation. The Resource Management Act (1991) requires local authorities to ensure that effects on the environment are managed sustainably. If your project could impact on the environment, or could affect other people, you may require resource consent. The Timaru District Council's Planning Unit can help you with a range of planning needs and requirements including:

• Advice on how the District Plan and RMA affect your project;
• Application advice and processing of Resource Consent Applications, Notice of Requirements, Outline Plans, Existing Use Right Certificates, Certificates of Compliance and private plan change requests;
• Monitoring of Resource Consent Applications and compliance with the District Plan.
• Information about the District Plan review and plan changes.

If you think you require resource consent but need more information, please contact our Customer Services Officer. Alternatively, you can book a meeting with a member of the Planning Unit. They can look over your proposal and point out some of the things you will need to consider while you prepare your application.

When you are ready to lodge your resource consent application it is recommended that you check with the Customer Services Officer or a member of the Planning Unit that you have given us all the information required to process your application. This will help make the resource consent process quicker for you.

The Planning Unit is also involved in the:

• Allocation and maintenance of rural and urban numbering;
• The processing of Land Information Memorandums, Project Information Memorandums, Building Consents, Liquor Licensing and Service Applications