Keeping involved

What happens to your submission?

As soon as the submission period closes, we will write to confirm that your submission has been received and will send you a summary of all the submissions received on the application. The issues raised in submissions will be discussed in the officer's report presented to the hearing committee.

Pre-hearing meeting

We may arrange a pre-hearing meeting so that submitters and the applicant can talk about and clarify issues in the application. These meetings are held soon after submissions close, usually in the evening at a place close to the area affected, to make it easier for everyone to attend. The issues raised in submissions can sometimes be resolved at a pre-hearing meeting, avoiding the need for a formal hearing.

To read more about pre-hearing meetings download our Pre-hearing and hearing meetings brochure.

When is a hearing required?

A hearing is the formal meeting where a hearing committee considers and decides on resource consent applications. It takes place if one or more of the submitters (or the applicant) asks to be heard, or if Greater Wellington thinks it is necessary.

The hearing committee is usually made up of two Greater Wellington councillors or independent commissioners, and an iwi appointee. A hearing must take place within 25 working days after submissions close, unless the time limit has been formally extended by Greater Wellington or the applicant.

Before the hearing

We will give you, all other submitters and the applicant, at least 10 working days notice of the hearing date, time and place. A Greater Wellington report will be prepared, recommending whether the application should be granted or declined. If it recommends granting the application, it will also suggest any conditions that should be attached to the consent. This report is sent to the applicant and to all submitters who wish to be heard, at least five working days before the hearing.

At the hearing

All hearings are open to the public, including the media (unless it is necessary to protect sensitive information). However, the only people who can speak are the applicant, submitters who stated in their submisison that theywished to beheard, Greater Wellington staff, and the hearing committee members. Applicants and submitters can bring expert witnesses to help them present their views.

After the hearing (the decision)

Greater Wellingtonsends outa writendecisionwith consent conditions (if the consent was granted) within15 working daysafterthe hearing is closed (unless the timeframe has been extended).

If you disagree with any part or all of a decision on a resource consent, including any of the conditions imposed, you can appeal to the Environment Court (for notified or limited notification consents) within 15 working days of receiving the decision. You can still appeal if you were part of a joint submission and others in the group don t want to appeal.

Toread more about how to lodge an appeal download our Objections and appeals brochure.