What is Engineering Acceptance?

Engineering Acceptance (EA) is the process of Council review and acceptance of proposed civil engineering works affecting Council infrastructure and is commonly associated with subdivision and other development activities.

The corresponding Selwyn Water process is known as Engineering Design Approval (EDA) and is administered by Selwyn Water separately. For more information, refer to the Selwyn Water website.

Note: Prior Engineering Acceptance

Prior Engineering Acceptance (BCEA) is the process of Council review and acceptance which applies to certain developments where Engineering Acceptance is required before an application for Resource Consent or Building Consent may be lodged, for the construction of buildings:

  • as part of Multi-unit Developments; or
  • where construction requires changes to infrastructure owned or administered by Council or Selwyn Water

The corresponding Selwyn Water process is known as Engineering Design Approval (EDA) and is administered by Selwyn Water separately. For more information, refer to the Selwyn Water Land Development page.

Prior Engineering Acceptance (BCEA) is separate process from Engineering Acceptance (EA) and it is therefore important to understand which application you require and apply for the appropriate one.   For more information about Prior Engineering Acceptance (BCEA) requirements and how to apply see Application for prior Engineering Acceptance - (BCEA)

Why Council requires an Engineering Acceptance (EA) of Proposed Work

The review and approval of proposed works prior to construction ensures that:

  • Proposed works on, or having significant impact to Council’s infrastructure, or having significant impact to the community, comply with the District Plan, relevant Bylaws and other Council requirements.
  • Works are completed according to industry best practices and Council requirements.
  • Works in relation to a proposed building or land development have a means of utility servicing that meets the Engineering Code of Practice and aligns with the Council infrastructure available to service the proposal.
  • New assets that will be owned and operated by the Council meet the appropriate standards.
  • Proposed works do not negatively impact existing or future users and meet the Council’s expected service requirements.
  • The new development and infrastructure does not result in additional unplanned work on the network.

What is reviewed during Engineering Acceptance (EA)

Council is responsible for the management of a broad range of public infrastructure and assets, which includes:

  • surface waters, which covers stormwater, land drainage and water races;
  • the public road corridor, which includes streetlighting, berms, streetscapes and vehicle crossings;
  • public walkways and cycleways;
  • parks and reserves; and
  • earthworks.

As part of the Engineering Acceptance (EA) process, Council conducts a detailed review of proposed works relating to these areas. The scope of the review will depend on the nature of the development and the infrastructure involved.

For Surface Waters, the review may consider network capacity, flood and inundation hazards, servicing requirements, proposed connections, impacts on overland flow paths, and any approvals required from other authorities, such as Environment Canterbury.

For other infrastructure and assets, the review may consider Council standards, requirements and expectations, integration with existing infrastructure, servicing and access requirements, impacts on users and the surrounding environment, and potential effects on the operation, safety and performance of existing Council assets and networks.

Water and Wastewater assessments

Selwyn Water (SWL) is responsible for managing drinking water and wastewater services and infrastructure. Information about Engineering Design Approval (EDA) for drinking water and wastewater is available on Selwyn Water’s Land Development page.

Do You Need Engineering Acceptance (EA)?

You will need Engineering Acceptance from Council if your project involves any of the following:

  • a bare land subdivision (ie. where vacant lots will be created by the proposal);
  • changes to Council’s infrastructure;
  • works that may have a significant impact on Council infrastructure; or
  • a residential, commercial or industrial development that may have a significant impact on Council infrastructure, public assets, network performance, access, safety or the use of the surrounding public environment.

Council will inform you if Engineering Acceptance (EA) is required by including a condition in your issued Resource Consent requiring you to submit design documentation to the Council’s Development Engineering team for acceptance.

Similarly, where the proposed works involves the development or modification of drinking water or wastewater infrastructure, your Resource Consent may require you to obtain Engineering Design Approval (EDA) from Selwyn Water.

If Engineering Acceptance (EA) and/or Engineering Design Approval (EDA) is required as a condition of your Resource Consent, then you must obtain the relevant approvals before the commencement of any works associated with the Resource Consent.

How to Apply

Applications for Engineering Acceptance (EA) must be submitted through Council’s online application portal which can be accessed here:  Engineering Acceptance application form

For information about Selwyn Water’s land development process, including Engineering Design Approval (EDA), and how to apply, visit Selwyn Water’s Land Development page.

Information Requirements for Engineering Acceptance (EA)

The Selwyn District Council Engineering Code of Practice (ECOP) outlines Council’s design standards and information requirements for Engineering Acceptance applications.

The information required in your application will depend on the nature and scope of the proposed works. However, all applications should include, as a minimum:

  • an Infrastructure Servicing Certificate. For more information refer to Selwyn District Council - 5 Water Servicing Information
  • detailed plans of the proposed works;
  • a detailed design report;
  • copies of any necessary permits, consents or authorisations;
  • information demonstrating compliance with the applicable requirements of the ECoP; and
  • certification by a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) or a Suitably Qualified and Experienced Professional (SQEP), as applicable.

Engineering Design Approval (EDA) for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure is managed separately by Selwyn Water. While the general engineering expectations will be similar, applicants should refer to Selwyn Water’s land development page for specific Engineering Design Approval (EDA) requirements and guidance.

Note: Infrastructure that will vest in Council or Selwyn Water must be designed by a Chartered Professional Engineer.

Direct connections to Council infrastructure, for the purpose of supplying properties with a Council-maintained point of supply, may be designed by a Suitably Qualified and Experienced Professional.

After You Submit Your Application

Engineering Acceptance (EA) applications are reviewed in the order they are received. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an email confirming that your submission has been successfully submitted. You will then receive an email confirmation that your application has been received and queued for review.

A Development Engineer (DE) will be assigned to your application and will contact you if further information is required, or once the review has been completed.

Engineering Acceptance (EA) applications are generally processed within 20 working days. Processing times may vary depending on the nature and complexity of the application and whether further information is required.

For information about Selwyn Water’s Engineering Design Approval (EDA) review and processing requirements, please refer to Selwyn Water’s Land Development page.

Review Process

An initial review is generally completed within two weeks, although this may take longer for more complex applications. The overall time required to obtain Engineering Acceptance (EA) will depend on the scale and complexity of the proposed works, as well as how quickly any Requests for Information (RFIs) are addressed.

If further information or clarification is required, a Council Development Engineer (DE) will issue a Request for Information (RFI). The matters raised will need to be addressed before the review can continue and Engineering Acceptance (EA) can be granted. More complex applications may require more than one round of feedback, revisions or additional information before the review is completed.

Engineering Acceptance (EA) Confirmation

Once the review process is complete, you will receive an Engineering Acceptance (EA) letter and a stamped set of plans. The letter will:

  • confirm Council’s Engineering Acceptance (EA) of the proposed works;
  • set out any general and special conditions that apply; and
  • confirm that the approved works may proceed, subject to those conditions and any other required approvals.

Note: Both EA and EDA have associated inspection and certification requirements that must be satisfied before subdivision sign off can occur as part of the Section 224(c) RMA process.

Fees and Charges

Council charges for Engineering Acceptance (EA) reviews on an hourly basis. Current engineering fees are set out in Council’s Fees and Charges Schedule. Engineering Acceptance (EA) will not be issued until all applicable fees and charges have been paid in full.

For fees and charges associated with Engineering Design Approval (EDA) involving drinking water and wastewater services, please visit Selwyn Water’s Land Development page

Appeals Process

If you disagree with any part of the Engineering Acceptance (EA) process, you may request the matter to be reviewed by the Development Engineering and Stakeholder Manager.

Contact Information

For further information regarding Engineering Acceptance (EA), please contact Council’s Development Engineering Team by emailing Development.Engineer@selwyn.govt.nz

For further information regarding Engineering Design Approval (EDA), please contact Selwyn Water’s Development Engineering Team by emailing development@selwynwater.co.nz