Council at Top of RMA Survey

Hawke's Bay Regional Council has achieved a high level of compliance with the Resource Management Act by processing 96% of resource consent applications on time.

The Ministry for the Environment survey for 2007/08 was released yesterday and puts Hawke's Bay Regional Council near the top of the survey results.

The Minister for the Environment, Hon Nick Smith has congratulated the Council on its high level of compliance and efficient systems.

The Council processed 671 consents in this period, including a large number of notified applications for water take consents for the Tukituki and the Waipawa River catchments.

"I have a lot of respect for our hard working staff and it is great to get the recognition, as it's a reassurance for applicants that our processes are working well for them," said Cr Christine Scott, Chairman of the Council's Hearings Committee.

The Resource Management Act survey is carried out by the Ministry every two years across city, district and regional councils.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council consent costs were about average for costs across New Zealand, with almost all notified applications for water take consents being below the national median of $5365 for a water take consent.