If you want to carry out vegetation alterations or removals from your property, you may require a resource consent, particularly if it is within a significant ecological area or native bush.
Some examples where vegetation clearance (and therefore an ecological assessment) is likely to be required include:
- Creating a new building platform
- Extending a building and creating a driveway
- Where stream pipes or culverts are required as part of a development where the standard practice is to provide a Stream Ecological Valuation (SEV).
The relevant plan/s will determine whether resource consent is required. The Auckland Unitary Plan is Operative in Part, however, appeals to some sections means that both the Auckland Unitary Plan and the District Plan must be taken into account.
Auckland Unitary Plan
Under the Auckland Unitary Plan – Operative in part, some areas of vegetation have been designated as Significant Ecological Areas. While some vegetation clearance is permitted (e.g. pest plant removal), most vegetation alternation or removal work will require resource consent.
As part of the resource consent application you will need to provide an ecological impact assessment that outlines what vegetation is to be removed and how this will impact the ecology of the site. In many cases a mitigation plan for the impacts such as an animal pest and weed control plan and/or planting plan may also be required.
What is an ecological impact assessment?
An ecological impact assessment includes:
- The current ecological values of the site including flora and fauna
- The likely impacts on these values from the proposed vegetation clearance
- Recommendations to manage, minimise and mitigate the impacts as much as possible. This may include mitigation planting and/or weed and pest control.
How can Thomas Consultants help?
Here at Thomas Consultants we have a team of experienced Planners and Ecologists that manage the resource consent application process and provide you with an ecological impact assessment to submit to council as part of your application. We are also able to provide other reports that may be required by council for mitigation.
Please contact us today to find out more and to help keep your project moving.
