Explanation of what happens to your application and deposit if a resource consent or other planning application is returned incomplete.

When an application is returned incomplete

When a resource consent application is received, we must first determine whether it contains all required information in accordance with legislative requirements .

An application will be returned incomplete if it cannot be accepted for processing.  This could be because the application is missing key information or information is incomplete or incorrect.

If an application is returned incomplete, it does not proceed any further.  If you still wish to proceed with the proposal you will need to apply again, including providing all documentation and paying a new deposit or fixed fee.

To avoid delays, applicants (or their agents) are strongly encouraged to seek clarification from Council early regarding application requirements, particularly where similar or repeat applications are proposed.

Submitting a complete and accurate application enables Council to process the resource consent efficiently and within statutory timeframes. Requests for further information are intended to address minor points of clarification or matters of assessment, rather than to obtain information that is fundamental to determining the application’s activity status or overall completeness.

Early engagement with Council can assist in identifying information requirements and ensure applications are appropriately prepared prior to lodgement.

Assessment costs still apply

Council charges for the actual time spent assessing the application to determine that it is incomplete.

This includes staff time spent reviewing the documents provided, identifying missing or incorrect information, and preparing correspondence as well as administration time in receiving the application and entering it into our system.

These costs are non‑refundable and are deducted from the deposit or fee paid at lodgement.

Note, you will be charged a “resource consent processing software fee” however, we won’t need to charge this again when you reapply because we will reuse planning assessment from your initial application.

A new application is required

A returned incomplete application cannot be updated, amended, or reactivated.

To proceed, you must:

*   Lodge a new resource consent application, and

*   Pay a new deposit for that application

Providing missing information after the application has been returned does not reinstate the original application.

What happens to your deposit

After assessment costs and fees are deducted:

*   Any remaining balance of your deposit will be refunded

*   Refunds are processed by Council’s Finance team

The Finance team will contact you to arrange the refund

Important – deposits cannot be transferred

Council cannot transfer any remaining deposit from a returned application to a new application.

This is due to financial system constraints. Each application must be invoiced and paid separately.

Information required to process a refund

Refunds can only be processed once Council receives verified bank account information.

You must provide bank verification, such as:

*   A stamped letter from your bank

*   A bank statement

*   A screenshot from internet or mobile banking

The document must clearly show:

*   Bank name or logo

*   Account name

*   Full bank account number

* Address of the person/entity whose bank account it is

Typed bank account numbers are not accepted, as Council must be able to verify the account.

Matching payee details

The bank account name must match the applicant or payee name recorded on the resource consent.

If the details do not match, the refund cannot be processed and further information will be required – this may delay your refund.

Key points to remember

*   Assessment costs still apply when an application is returned incomplete

*   A new application and new deposit are required

*   Remaining deposit balances are refunded, not transferred

*   Verified bank details are required to process any refund