In this section

A designation is a planning tool that can be used only by Ministers of the Crown, local authorities, and network utility operators identified under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) as requiring authorities.

With a designation, requiring authorities can set aside land for future public works or projects like roads, telecommunications and electricity networks, or schools and prisons.

A designation places restrictions on what anyone other than the requiring authority can do on the designated land. If an area of your property is part of a designation it means you cannot make changes to the land without the prior written consent of the requiring authority or necessary approvals from the district council.

Once a designation is in the district plan, the proposed works can be carried out there at any time and the authority responsible does not have to comply with the district plan rules.

To find out more about the designation process under the RMA, check out the Ministry for the Environment’s An everyday guide to the RMA: The designation process.

A requiring authority is:

  • Minister of the Crown
  • A local authority
  • A network utility operator* can be approved as a requiring authority by the Minister for the Environment.

*A network utility operator is an organisation that conducts activities that, in Selwyn, would include power transmission, electricity and water distribution, telecommunications network, and construction of roads and railway lines. These organisations can be approved as a requiring authority by the Minister for the Environment.

Notice of Requirement

A Notice of Requirement for a new designation may be publicly notified or limited notified for submissions or may be non-notified.

List of Designations

A list of Council and other requiring authorities designations in the Selwyn District can be found the District Plan.

Privately owned land

A requiring authority may notify a requirement over land that it does not own.  
The designation has an immediate restrictive effect on that land and what can be undertaken on it by any other person.
Prior written consent from the requiring authority is needed for any land use activity or subdivision that could prevent or hinder the designation's purpose.
Once a designation is confirmed it overrides the restrictions of the district plan on undertaking the work.

Further help and information

If you have questions about a designation please get in touch with the Duty Planner on 0800 SELWYN (735 996) or email contactus@selwyn.govt.nz