Designation

The designation process set out in Part 8 of the RMA, is one of the principal planning mechanisms used to obtain RMA authorisation for new or altered roads. The designation process allows controls/conditions to be imposed on roading projects to avoid, remedy or mitigate the effects of noise from those projects.

Resource consent

RMA authorisation for a roading project could be obtained by a resource consent rather than a designation. In addition, even when a designation has been obtained for a roading project there may still be a need to obtain resource consent from the regional council in order to authorise certain aspects of a roading project, e.g. the construction of part of a road in the coastal marine area. A new road (that will ultimately vest in a road controlling authority) is often constructed as part of a subdivision or land use development.

The resource consent process requires application to be made to the relevant council (consenting authority), complete with an assessment of the environmental effects ('AEE') of the activity and a statement of any consultation undertaken with potentially affected parties.