We work with the community to make sure our region’s natural resources are managed sustainably.

 Our consents and compliance work has four aspects:

  • Processing consents: we use consents to manage activities so that any harm they may have on our communities, or the environment is reduced.
  • Monitoring compliance: we monitor activities to make sure they don’t have unexpected negative effects on the environment.
  • Responding to incidents: we respond to reports of environmental non-compliance and pollution incidents.
  • Enforcing: we consider all available options to ensure compliance with the Resource Management Act 1991, resource consents, our regional plans, and national regulations and standards.

The Resource Management Act 1991 sets out how we should manage our environment and is the foundation for most of our work. Our compliance and investigations teams enforce the Act by monitoring resource consents, checking activities comply with regional plan rules and using enforcement tools when conditions are breached.

The teams also provide technical advice about contaminated land, waste, wastewater, farming activities, forestry and industrial processes.

Notice of update to consent application forms

The Otago Regional Policy Statement 2019 (ORPS 2019) became fully operative on 4 March 2024 and the Proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement (P-ORPS 2021) was fully notified on 30 March 2024.  These changes require us to update our consent applications forms, which we are in the process of doing. In the meantime, if we need any further information from the applicant on the policy assessment, we will be in touch.

Consents and Compliance information

Me whai whakaaetaka ahau? Do I need a consent?

Consent may be needed if you are doing something that could affect the Otago environment. The ORC consents team is here to help make sure that you can follow the regulations that help protect our environment. Different activities need consent, find out which ones here.

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Te tono ki te whakaaetaka Apply for a consent

Find all the forms you need to apply for a consent, work with compliance, or work through our policy sheets.

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Te tukaka whakaaetaka Consents process

There are several steps in getting a resource consent and understanding the process makes it easier.

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Kā tono whakamōhio o nāianei Current notified applications

You can view resource consent applications that are currently open for submission, awaiting hearing, being heard or pending a decision. Submissions on currently notified applications can be submitted online.

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Te āwhina ki te tautukuka me kā puka ārahi Consents help and user guides

Our consents and compliance guides are designed for various needs. Whether you're looking for help with obtaining consents, representing a catchment or community group, working as a consultant, or already holding a consent, you'll find the information you need here. Easily navigate consents by activity type to quickly access the right resources.

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Tautukuka Compliance

We are responsible for regulating activities affecting water, air, land and the coast to promote the sustainable management of our environment. Our compliance teams help our community meet our rules and regulations through compliance monitoring, education, advice, investigations and enforcement.

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Te puka ārahi kaiahuwhenua Farmers Guide

Here are the rules that apply to farming activities, with information on when you might need a resource consent, useful links, relevant dates and answers to frequently asked questions.

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