The applicant will be sent a schedule of all the submissions received and both the applicant and submitters will be advised of the hearing date at least 10 working days prior to the hearing being held. Either a Hearings Panel or a Commissioner will consider an application. A Hearings Panel compromises three people including Councillors and local Community Board members. An independent Commissioner is generally appointed where there is a conflict of interest. For example, when a unit within Council is the applicant for resource consent.
All hearings are public and the press and members of the public are welcome to attend.
If you are about to be involved as an applicant or submitter in a hearing it can be helpful to come to an earlier hearing as an observer. Please contact your nearest service centre or the Civic Offices for dates and times of hearings. A hearing gives the applicant and all submitters the opportunity to present their case to a Hearings Panel or a Commissioner. The process is similar to a court hearing but not as formal. Right of reply from the applicant.