Notified consents

 A submission is the way GWRC can take into account any views, comments or concerns about someone's resource consent application. Submissions can:

• support the application
• oppose the application
• support parts of the application and oppose other parts.

Submissions must be received by GWRC by the submission closing time stated in the notification advertisement. It’s important to get your submission to GWRC in time. This is because submissions are not accepted by GWRC after the closing date unless the applicant agrees or there are special circumstances.

Some tips in preparing and writing submissions

• Make sure you read the application and the ‘assessment of environmental effects’. Look at any plans associated with the application and, if necessary, arrange to visit the site with the applicant. You should clearly understand the proposal and how it could potentially affect you before you make your submission.
• Our current notified consent applications further down this page provide all information on any resource consent application you wish to make a submission on.
• If others feel the same way as you about the application, you should consider making a joint submission (e.g. by forming a community group and appointing a spokesperson). Make sure you clearly identify the contact person for the submission.
• You can either use a GWRC submission form or write your own submission.

Lodging your submission

You can lodge your submission in any of the following ways:

• In person at our Wellington office (100 Cuba St, Te Aro) or Masterton office (34 Chapel St)
• By post to either PO Box 11646, Wellington or PO Box 41, Masterton
• By e-mail to notifications@gw.govt.nz. (A signed submission in PDF format is required)

You must also send a copy of your submission to the applicant. Please note that all the information in your submission is available to the public on request.

Once your submission is lodged

After the submission period closes, a summary of all submissions received is sent to all submitters and the applicant. At this point a pre-hearing meeting is normally held to discuss the application and issues raised in submissions.

If issues cannot be resolved a hearing is held to determine the resource consent application. Only submitters who have requested to be heard at a hearing can speak to their submission at the hearing.

If you as a submitter are not satisfied with the decision arising from the hearing, you can appeal that decision made by GWRC to the Environment Court. 

GWRC 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, 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. If agreement looks likely, submitters and the applicant are asked whether they want to negotiate consent conditions. GWRC suggests possible consent conditions, and if everyone agrees to them submitters may be asked to withdraw their wish to be heard (not their submission) so that the consent application does not need to go to a hearing. Any conditions agreed to must be approved by GWRC before they are attached to the consent (if it is granted).

To read more about pre-hearing meetings download our  Pre-hearing and hearing meetings brochure. (PDF 341 KB)

A hearing is a formal meeting where a hearing panel considers and decides on a resource consent application. A hearing takes place if one or more of the submitters (or the applicant) asks to be heard, or if GWRC thinks it is necessary. The hearing panel is usually made up of two GWRC councillors or independent commissioners, and an iwi appointee.

Before the hearing

GWRC gives all submitters and the applicant at least 10 working days' notice of the hearing date, time and place. A GWRC report is prepared, recommending whether the application should be granted or declined. If it recommends granting the application, it also suggests any conditions that should be attached to the consent. This report is sent to the applicant and to all submitters at least five working days before the hearing.

GWRC may also before the hearing direct the applicant and/or submitters to circulate their evidence prior to the hearing. This process can reduce the time required to hold a 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 have requested to be heard), GWRC staff, and the hearing panel. Applicants and submitters can bring expert witnesses to help them present their views.

After the hearing (the decision)

GWRC sends out a written decision with consent conditions (if the consent was granted). This is completed within 15 working days after the hearing is closed (unless the timeframe has been extended).

If you disagree with any part or all of a decision on a resource consent, you can appeal to the Environment Court within 15 working days of receiving the decision.

To read more about hearing procedures download our  Pre-hearing and hearing meetings  (PDF 341 KB) brochure.

An appeal is a written request (made under section 121 of the Resource Management Act) to the Environment Court to reconsider a GWRC decision on a resource consent application. The Environment Court decides on the matter by re-hearing all the information we used to make our decision. It’s important that you prepare your appeal carefully. We strongly recommend you seek legal or other professional advice before going ahead.

To read more about appeals download our  Objections and appeals (PDF 354 KB)  brochure.

Current Update

24 September 2021: The consents for the Hutt River and Wainuiomata River have now been granted. 

For the Waikanae River and the Otaki River consents, these applications remain suspended at the applicant's request. This is to allow the applicant sufficient time to consider the issues raised in the submissions. 

Western Rivers Applications 

Notification of applications for resource consents WGN130264, WGN150094, WGN130303 and WGN140054 under section 95(A) of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Greater Wellington Regional Council has received four applications (collectively referred to as ‘Western Rivers’) for resource consent from: 

1. WGN130264 – Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River

Applicant: Greater Wellington Regional Council; Flood Protection Department 
Location: This application covers land in the Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River corridor, including the river bed and banks, berms and stopbanks  from the  upstream side of the Estuary Bridge, Waione Street, Petone to the eastern end of Gillespies Rd, Upper Hutt, together with short sections of the  river beds and adjacent banks in the lowest reaches of four tributaries (Akatarawa River, Stokes Valley Stream, Speedy’s Stream and Te Mome  Stream), plus the stormwater drainage network on the landward side of the stopbank between Moonshine Bridge and Maoribank Corner.
Summary of Proposal: 
River management activities for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes in the Hutt River, Akatarawa River, Stokes Valley  Stream, Speedy’s Stream and Te Mome Stream corridors.
Consent Applied For: 
[32238] Land use consent to undertake river management activities in the bed and on the banks, berms and stopbanks of the Hutt River and on sections of the river beds and banks in the lower reaches of the Akatarawa River, Stokes Valley Stream, Speedy’s Stream and Te Mome Stream; and the stormwater draining network on the landward side of the stopbank between Moonshine Bridge and Maoribank Corner  for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes including construction, maintenance, repair, replacement, extension, addition, alteration, demolition and removal of structures ,planting, maintenance and removal of vegetation, recontouring and mechanical ripping of the river bed, constructing diversion channels, shaping, recontouring and repair of bank edges, berms and stopbanks, clearance of flood debris , operation of machinery in the river bed, entry and passage of the river bed, maintenance of drains, dredging, construction of walkways, cycleways and associated structures including stormwater drainage, culverts, and footbridges; excavation, disturbance and deposition of material.
[34486] Land use consent to extract gravel from the bed and banks of the Hutt River using a combination of wet and dry methodologies.
[34077] Water permit to temporarily and permanently divert the flow of the Hutt River, Akatarawa River, Stokes Valley Stream, Speedy’s Stream, and Te Mome Stream during, and as a result of, river management activities for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes.
[34078]  Discharge permit to discharge sediment and sediment laden stormwater into the Hutt River, Akatarawa River, Stokes Valley Stream, Speedy’s Stream and Te Mome Stream during, and as a result of, river management activities within and outside the river bed for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes.

2. WGN150094 – Wainuiomata River

Applicant: Greater Wellington Regional Council; Flood Protection Department 
Location: This application covers land in the Wainuiomata River corridor, including the river bed and banks, berms and stopbanks  from approximately 200m upstream of the footbridge which links the end of Hine Road to Reservoir Road, to approximately 200 m downstream of Ngaturi Park.
Summary of Proposal: River management activities for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes in the Wainuiomata River corridor over the 5km reach that passes through the urban area between the end of Hine Road and Ngaturi Park
Consent Applied For: [33210]: Land use consent to undertake river management activities in the bed and on the banks, berms and stopbanks of the Wainuiomata River for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes including construction, maintenance, repair, replacement, extension, addition, alteration, demolition and removal of structures planting, maintenance and removal of vegetation, recontouring and mechanical ripping of the river bed, constructing diversion channels, shaping, recontouring and repair of bank edges, berms and stopbanks, clearance of flood debris , operation of machinery in the river bed, entry and passage of the river bed, maintenance of drains dredging, construction of walkways, cycleways and associated structures including stormwater drainage, culverts, and footbridges; excavation, disturbance and deposition of material.
[34487] Land use consent to extract gravel from the bed and on the banks of the Wainuiomata River using dry methodologies.
[34033]: Water permit to temporarily and permanently divert the flow of the Wainuiomata River during, and as a result of, river management activities for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes.
[34034]: Discharge permit to discharge sediment and sediment laden stormwater into the Wainuiomata River during, and as a result of, river management activities within and outside the river bed for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes.

3. WGN130303 - Waikanae River

Applicant: Greater Wellington Regional Council; Flood Protection Department 
Location: This application covers land in the Waikanae River corridor, including the bed and banks, berms and stopbanks between the Waikanae Water  Treatment Plant weir and the Waikanae River mouth, including within the coastal marine area (CMA); and the bed and banks, berms and  stopbanks of the Waimeha Stream between the points where the stream branches are crossed by Te Moana Road and Park Avenue and the CMA  downstream of the Waimeha Stream mouth.
Summary of Proposal: River management activities for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes in the Waikanae River and the Waimeha Stream  corridors.
Consent Applied For: [32316] Land use consent to undertake river management activities in the bed and on the banks, berms and stopbanks of the Waikanae River and the Waimeha Stream for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes including construction, maintenance, repair, replacement, extension, addition, alteration, demolition and removal of structures, planting, maintenance and removal of vegetation; recontouring and mechanical ripping of the river bed; constructing diversion channels; shaping, recontouring and repair of bank edges, berms and stopbanks; clearance of flood debris ; operation of machinery in the river bed, entry and passage of the river bed; maintenance of drains; dredging; and construction of walkways, cycleways and bridle paths and associated structures including stormwater drainage, culverts, and footbridges and excavation, disturbance and deposition of material and recontouring of the stream mouths; and any associated excavation, movement and deposition of natural materials onto the foreshore, discharge of sediment, damming and diversion of water, clearance of debris and removal of beach vegetation.
[34488] Land use consent to extract gravel from the bed and banks of the Waikanae River using a combination of wet and dry methodologies.
[34145] Water permit to temporarily and permanently divert the flow of the Waikanae River and Waimeha Stream during, and as a result of, river management activities for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes.
[34146] Discharge permit to discharge sediment and sediment laden stormwater into the Waikanae River and Waimeha Stream as a result of, river management activities within and outside the river bed for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes.
[34147] Coastal permit to undertake river management activities in the CMA at the Waikanae River and Waimeha Stream mouths for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes including construction, maintenance, repair, replacement, demolition and removal of structures , and associated occupation and use of the common marine and coastal area by the existing structures; realignment, cutting and recontouring of the river and stream mouths clearance of debris (including sand and sediment); and any associated excavation, movement and deposition of natural materials onto the foreshore or seabed, discharge of sediment, damming and diversion of water and removal of beach vegetation.

4. WGN140054 - Otaki River

Applicant: Greater Wellington Regional Council; Flood Protection Department 
Location: This application covers land in the Ōtaki River corridor, including the river bed and banks, berms and stopbanks from the Pukehinau river recorder to the Ōtaki river mouth, including within the Coastal Marine Area (CMA). The application also covers works on sections of Waimanu Stream including Chrystalls Lagoon, Rangiuru Stream and two unnamed tributaries and Ngatoko Stream, and two drains (Katihiku and Pahiko Drains) that flow into the Ōtaki River estuary (within the CMA). 
Summary of Proposal: River management activities for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes, in the corridor of the Otaki River between the Pukehinau water level recorder and the river mouth, Waimanu Stream including Chrystalls Lagoon, Rangiuru Stream and two unnamed tributaries, Ngatoko Stream, and the Katihiku and Pahiko Drains.
Consent Applied For: [32483] Land use consent to undertake river management activities in the bed and on the banks, berms and stopbanks of the Ōtaki River and on sections of the beds and banks of Waimanu Stream including Chrystalls Lagoon, Rangiuru Stream and two unnamed tributaries, Ngatoko Stream and the Katihiku and Pahiko Drains for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes, including construction, maintenance, repair, replacement, extension, addition, alteration, demolition and removal of structures ,  planting, maintenance and removal of vegetation, recontouring and mechanical ripping of the river bed, constructing diversion channels, shaping, recontouring and repair of bank edges, berms and stopbanks, clearance of flood debris , operation of machinery in the river bed, entry and passage of the river bed, maintenance of drains, dredging, construction of walkways, cycleways and associated structures including stormwater drainage, culverts, and footbridges and excavation, disturbance and deposition of material.  
 [32485] Land use consent to extract gravel from the bed and banks of the Ōtaki River downstream of Chrystalls Bend, and a one-off extraction from Mangahanene Island near the Ōtaki River mouth, using a combination of wet and dry extraction methodologies.
[32486] Water permit to temporarily and permanently divert the flow of the Ōtaki River, Waimanu Stream including Chrystalls Lagoon, Rangiuru Stream and two unnamed tributaries, Ngatoko Stream and the Katihiku and Pahiko Drains during, and as a result of, river management activities for flood protection, erosion control, and public amenity purposes.
[32487] Discharge permit to discharge sediment and sediment laden stormwater into the Ōtaki River Waimanu Stream including Chrystalls Lagoon, Rangiuru Stream and two unnamed tributaries, Ngatoko Stream and the Katihiku and Pahiko Drains during, as a result of, river management activities within and outside the river bed for flood protection, erosion control, and public amenity purposes.
[32488] Coastal permit to undertake river management activities in the CMA at the Ōtaki River mouth and estuary for flood protection, erosion control and public amenity purposes including gravel extraction, realignment, cutting and recontouring of the river and stream mouths, clearance of debris (including sand and sediment); and any associated excavation, movement and deposition of natural materials onto the foreshore or seabed, discharge of sediment, damming and diversion of water, and removal of beach vegetation.

Submissions

The submission period closed on Monday 1 May 2017. 

Kāpiti Coast District Council (KCDC) has made an application to Greater Wellington for resource consents to continue the discharge of treated wastewater to the Mazengarb Stream and contaminants to air from the Paraparaumu WWTP.

For more information on this application and to make a submission, visit Have Your Say.

South Wairarapa District Council has made an application to the Greater Wellington for resource consent to continue the discharge of treated wastewater into Donalds Creek and contaminants to air from the Featherston Wastewater Treatment Plant.

For more information on this application and to make a submission, visit Have Your Say.

Meridian Energy Limited has lodged Resource Consent applications to construct, operate and maintain a new wind farm on Mount Munro, located approximately 5km south of Eketāhuna.

The Resource Consent applications have been lodged with the Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council (Horizons Regional Council), Greater Wellington Regional Council, Tararua District Council, and Masterton District Council.

Please find all of the information relating to the publicly notified application on the Horizons Regional Council website.