Resource Consents & Compliance

Get your consent right, first time.

Resource consents are at the centre of almost everything Aqualinc does. Whether you’re applying for a new water take, renewing an irrigation consent, dealing with a compliance issue or navigating a change to existing conditions, getting the process right matters, for your operation, your relationship with the regulator, and your long-term security.

We’ve been helping clients through the consenting process for over 20 years. We know what consent authorities are looking for, understand the regulatory environment, and we’ll tell you straight what to expect, including when something is going to be difficult.

What we do.

We work across every stage of the resource consent process, from initial feasibility through to ongoing compliance. Our team handles the technical assessment, documentation and council relationship. You stay informed without having to manage the detail yourself. The science, process and relationship, all in one team.

Groundwater consent applications.

Applications to take groundwater for irrigation, stock water, municipal supply and industrial use. We assess the aquifer, quantify the effects on other users and build applications that hold up under scrutiny.

Surface water consents.

Applications to take from streams, rivers and lakes. We assess availability, low-flow constraints and effects on other users, working through the issues that commonly hold applications up before they become problems.

Water storage consents.

Consent applications for on-farm storage dams, ponds and reservoirs. We manage the technical assessment, effects analysis and application preparation for storage infrastructure of all scales.

Effluent discharge consents.

Applications and renewals for farm effluent discharge to land or water. We advise on system design, assess the effects and prepare the application, often as a combined package alongside effluent system design.

Wastewater and stormwater consents.

Discharge consents for residential, commercial and industrial developments. We prepare technically robust applications that clearly communicate the effects on receiving environments to consent authorities.

Land use consents.

Consents for land use activities affecting water or land resources. We work across farming, development and infrastructure contexts, preparing applications that address what councils need to see.

Assessment of environmental effects.

Technically sound, clearly written AEEs that meet consent authority requirements. Prepared as a standalone document or as part of a broader consent application package. Science that holds up under scrutiny.

Consent changes and transfers.

When your operation changes, your consent may need to change with it. We manage changes of conditions, transfers between parties and amalgamations of multiple consents.

Consent renewals.

Renewals are often more complex than original applications. Councils use them as an opportunity to revisit conditions. We prepare robust renewal applications and manage the process through to a new consent.

Compliance monitoring.

Active management of consent compliance including monitoring programme design, reporting and council liaison. Early identification of issues avoids the more serious consequences of non-compliance down the line.

Condition changes and reviews.

Supporting clients through s127 condition change applications, s128 council-initiated reviews and submissions on regional and district plan changes.

Every water challenge starts with a conversation.

Let us know what you need and we’ll connect you with the right person.

Get in touch

Who we work with.

Anyone who needs a resource consent for a water or land use activity. In practice that means farmers, irrigation scheme operators, developers, councils and industrial operators. We work directly with consent-holders and we’re also engaged by lawyers, planners and project managers who need technical input into a consent process.

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How we approach it.

Consent applications succeed when the technical work is solid and the process is managed well. We do both. Our scientists and engineers prepare the technical assessments and we take responsibility for shepherding the application through to a decision. Twenty years of working with councils across New Zealand means we know what they need to see. We don’t over-promise on outcomes, but we give you an honest picture of where your application stands from day one.

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Related services

On-Farm Water Management.

Irrigation, effluent, soil moisture monitoring and small drinking water supply. We work with farmers and rural property owners to get farm water performing, not just compliant, but right.

Groundwater Management.

From aquifer testing and monitoring to complex numerical modelling. We build the complete picture of what's happening below the surface and what it means for users, regulators and the environment.

Development & Infrastructure.

Water assessments for development projects from pre-purchase due diligence through to consenting and compliance. Groundwater, water supply, land treatment and infrastructure impacts covered in one team.