National Environmental Standards
There are National Environmental Standards which set out a consistent set of rules for developing land which has potential soil contamination or that impacts freshwater ecosystems.
Developing land which has potential soil contamination
The National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health sets out a consistent set of rules and contaminate values for managing potential risks to human health associated with use and development on land with contaminated soil.
Where a piece of land is identified as potentially contaminated, the following may require a resource consent under the rules set out in the National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health:
- subdivision
- land disturbance (earthworks)
- changing the use of a piece of land.
You can request a Potentially Contaminated Site search from us to find out if a current or former use of land may have resulted in contamination on your property.
Apply for a potentially contaminated site search(PDF, 737KB)
The Potentially Contaminated Site report will help determine if the rules apply to your project.
You can make an appointment with the duty planner or enquire online to find out how these rules might apply to what you want to do with your property.
National environmental standards for potential contaminants in soils (environment.govt.nz)
Developing land that impacts freshwater ecosystems
The National Environmental Standard for Freshwater sets out a consistent set of rules to manage use and development of land that poses a risk to the health of freshwater and freshwater ecosystems.
Under the National Environmental Standard for Freshwater, a resource consent from the Northland Regional Council may be required for the following types of activities:
- vegetation clearance, earthworks and / or land disturbance within proximity to natural wetlands (including coastal wetlands)
- taking, using, damming, diversion, or discharge of water within proximity to natural wetlands (including coastal wetlands)
- placement, use, alteration, extension, or reconstruction of a culvert within, on, over, or under the bed of any river or connected area.
If the above apply to your project you will need to get in touch with the Northland Regional Council to confirm what freshwater consents may be needed.
In some cases, it may be appropriate to make a joint application covering resource consents needed from the Northland Regional Council in addition to those needed under the District Plan.
We recommend you seek the advice of a qualified planning professional where a resource consent is required under both the National Environmental Standard for Freshwater and the District Plan.
Planning consultants directory (planningconsultants.org.nz)
National environmental standards for freshwater (environment.govt.nz)
Draft Freshwater Plan Change (nrc.govt.nz)