New development consent process to speed processing times

All development consent applications will need to be vetted and formally accepted as being complete, before the Far North District Council starts processing them.


The requirement, effective from Tuesday March 25, is expected to speed consents processing times because it will remove delays caused by incomplete application forms. It applies to Building Consents (BCs) and Resource Consents (RCs), including Project Information Memorandums (PIMs) and associated applications such as earthworks, fireplace and vehicle crossings


Currently, applicants can lodge their consent applications without having first determined whether they have provided the necessary and correct information to allow them to be processed efficiently.


This can cause delays when applications are suspended while staff are waiting for additional information to be provided. Such delays can cause frustration to applicants, especially the customer who may be expecting consents within a certain number of days.


By changing the system so that delays are ironed-out before processing starts, applications should have a much smoother journey through the consents processing pathway.


The pre-application vetting service can only be offered at the council’s Kaikohe, Kaitaia and Kerikeri service centres where there are sufficient technically trained back-up staff to carry out the vetting process, said Development Consents General Manager Patrick Schofield.


“Applications can be handed in at the Kaeo, Kawakawa or Rawene service centres, but cannot be accepted formally at these sites,” he said. “They will be forwarded on to the nearest main council office for vetting and acceptance that the application is complete, before processing starts.”


Alternatively, applicants can choose to hand in their applications at Kaikohe, Kaitaia or Kerikeri where the same pre-application vetting process will ensue before processing, or to contact a vetting officer on 0800 920 029 to organise an appointment time. If accepted as complete at the pre-application vetting meeting, processing will start from that point.


Those who choose to hand in their applications rather than attend a pre-application vetting meeting will be asked to complete a short form saying that they understand the processing of their consents will not begin until they have been vetted, accepted as being complete and the appropriate payment has been levied and received by the council.