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Council Closures During the Holiday Season: What You Need to Know

As the holiday season approaches, many people look forward to taking a break, enjoying time with family and friends, and embracing the festive spirit. However, it's also the time of year when local councils around New Zealand close their doors for a few weeks, taking a break from normal operations. This temporary closure period often falls around Christmas and the New Year.



The Holiday Closure Period and the RMA


The RMA ties in with the holiday closure period. For most local councils in New Zealand, Christmas and the New Year period means a temporary shutdown, lasting from a few days to a couple of weeks. This break is largely driven by the following practical and legislative considerations.


Statutory Holidays and Workload Management

Like many public sector institutions, local councils are subject to New Zealand’s statutory holiday schedule. Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year’s Day (January 1) are public holidays, and most councils follow this schedule by closing their offices for a period of time to allow staff a break. During this period, there is a significant reduction in operational capacity. While councils may provide essential services, the bulk of day-to-day activities such as resource consent processing, planning applications, and enforcement actions are halted or delayed.


Resource Consent Timelines

Under the RMA, councils are bound by specific timeframes for processing resource consents. The standard processing time for a non-notified resource consent application, for instance, is 20 working days. However, with the holiday season cutting into this timeframe, councils generally extend deadlines or pause processing to accommodate the closures. The Christmas break can often result in a longer wait time for resource consent decisions.

When a resource consent application is submitted close to the holiday period, the statutory timeframes for processing may be effectively paused until the council resumes work. This allows councils to meet their obligations under the RMA without compromising staff wellbeing or rushing through critical decisions during a period when resources are limited.


Limited Staffing Capacity

Over the Christmas period, many staff members take extended leave or annual leave, further reducing the capacity of councils to carry out normal business operations. While some councils may have skeleton staff working, it’s unlikely that they would be able to process complex resource consent applications, conduct environmental assessments, or hold public hearings. For example, many councils provide limited customer services, and technical staff may be unavailable. The fewer staff on hand during this time means it’s much harder for councils to ensure that all the relevant steps in the resource consent process are followed, including seeking expert opinions or consulting with affected parties.


What Does This Mean for You?


If you have a resource consent application in the pipeline, here’s what you need to keep in mind:


  • Plan Ahead: If you’re planning to submit a resource consent application, be aware of the potential delays during the Christmas period. Submitting your application earlier can help ensure that it is processed before the holiday closures begin.


  • Expect Delays: If you submit an application close to Christmas, it’s important to be aware that councils might not process or respond to your application until after they reopen in the New Year. While the statutory deadlines can be extended in such cases, delays are a normal part of the holiday closure process.


  • Check Local Council Schedules: Different councils have different schedules for closures, and these may vary by region. It’s always a good idea to check your local council’s website or contact them before the Christmas period to confirm their closure dates and any potential delays in resource consent processing.


  • Stay Informed: Councils often provide notifications about their holiday schedules, and some may have systems in place to handle emergency or urgent resource management matters. Make sure you stay updated by checking official council communications.


Conclusion


The holiday closure of councils under the Resource Management Act 1991 is an important part of the public sector's holiday practices. While it may cause delays in processing applications or approvals, it’s essential for applicants, developers, and property owners to plan ahead. Understanding how the RMA interacts with council holidays can help you navigate any potential disruptions and ensure your projects stay on track. So, before you enjoy the festivities of Christmas, take a moment to plan ahead for your resource management needs, and be sure to reach out to your local council to confirm deadlines, processing times, and any other questions you may have about the Christmas period closures.




Altra Planning Limited 
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