Assessment of Environmental Effects
An Assessment of Environmental Effects is a report that must be provided as part of every resource consent application. The role of the Assessment of Environmental Effects Report is to detail the effects your proposed activity may have on the environment. It is worth looking at the terms ‘effects’ and ‘environment’ carefully, because under the Resource Management Act (RMA) they both have wide-reaching definitions.
What is an effect?
In the context of the Resource Management Act, the term ‘effect’ refers to virtually any effect imaginable on the environment at and around the location of the proposed activity.
Effects can be positive or negative, and may include:
- Noise and vibrations
- Odours
- Discharges (including contaminants, emissions etc)
- Visual effects (especially if they are perceived to be negative)
- Overshadowing of others’ properties
- Increased traffic
Note: for the complete definition of the term "effect", see section 3 of the RMA.
What is the environment?
The term ‘environment’ is very broadly defined by the Resource Management Act and refers not only to the more obvious aspects of the environment, such as air, land and water, but also to ecosystems, people and communities.
Preparing an Assessment of Environmental Effects
You can prepare an Assessment of Environmental Effects by following the guidelines set out in:
- The Fourth Schedule of the RMA, and
- A booklet provided by the Ministry for the Environment outlines what to consider when preparing an Assessment of Environmental Effects
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/rma/aee-guide-aug06/html/
There is no requirement to contract a planning consultant, surveyor, lawyer or other professional to prepare your Assessment of Environmental Effects. However, the Far North District Council recommends that you seek professional advice.
The Fourth Schedule
The Fourth Schedule of the Resource Management Act lists essential matters that should be included in an Assessment of Environmental Effects, and outlines the types of issues that the Assessment of Environmental Effects should address.
A resource consent application may involve factors that are unique to the site or the nature of the activity. An Assessment of Environmental Effects should not be limited just to the matters/issues contained in the Fourth Schedule. It is also important to check the relevant district/regional plans for all controls that relate to the proposed activity, and all matters/issues covered by the Assessment of Environmental Effects should be addressed within the context of the relevant plan.
More information about the Fourth Schedule is available at the Ministry for the Environment web site www.mfe.govt.nz.
Assessment of Environmental Effects and multiple consent applications
Some activities require more than one type of resource consent but normally only one Assessment of Environmental Effects will be required to cover all the applications.
For any further information please contact us using our normal contact details
Page created/updated: 17 December 2008 at 10:18 am
