National accolade for high-performing consents team

Environment Bay of Plenty’s consents team has received a national accolade for the standard of its work.

The 10-person team was identified as New Zealand’s best performers in an independent audit of all regional and unitary authorities.

The audit was undertaken by staff from a number of regional councils. It analysed both the quality of resource consents and the procedures used to process them. It checked these against the requirements of legislation and best practice. Its objective was to encourage councils to improve their practices.

Regulation, monitoring and investigation committee chairman Jim Pringle considers the audit results “a huge accolade” for consents staff. “They must be congratulated for their work. Their job is not always easy but it is extremely important. What they do helps protect the environment.”

The team processes more than 1000 consents a year. They range from straightforward bore permits to major consent applications, such as for a geothermal power station.

ENDS

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