Unconsented Earthworks and Rangitikei District Plan

Rangitikei District Council is pleased it has been able to come to an agreement with the parties involved in undertaking significant earthworks in Hunterville, without consent, rather than pursuing them through the courts.

The Rangitikei District Council’s District Plan requires a resource consent be issued for any earthworks. In this recent case, after receiving advice that a geotechnical report would be required as part of the consent application, the ‘offenders’ decided to proceed based on their own knowledge and without consent.

Whilst Council officers had concern for the stability of the remaining hillside, and the case was one worthy of prosecution, it was also felt that this was not productive for either side. The recent aversion of a prosecution by a negotiated settlement in Canterbury, with a contribution to costs and a donation to the community, was highlighted as a possible way forward. In this case, a contribution to Council’s costs has been made, and the parties will contribute to improvements at Hunterville domain.

Steve Costelloe, Team Leader Environmental Services, says “Prevention is better than the cure – if you are proposing to undertake earthworks that will change the land contour by more than 500mm, contact Council and see if a resource consent is necessary.”

ENDS

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