Do you require a resource consent?

Yes, you do. However, when the Natural Resources Regional Plan - Chapter 6, which has been notified, is adopted there will be provision within that plan for low volume ‘one-off’ takes to be permitted, providing certain conditions are met.

You need to check whether the volume you require is within the limits prescribed and whether you can comply with all of the conditions. If yes, then complete the Gravel Availability Inquiry Form. Similarly the Waimakariri River Regional Plan allows 'low volume' takes from the Waimakariri River and some of its tributaries, providing certain conditions are met. Either complete the Gravel Availability Inquiry Form or contact the Gravel Resources Officer to learn more.

Advice for your application

Be thorough. Include the following forms:

• the Gravel Availability Inquiry Form
• Engineers Report
• Affected Parties Sign-off and
• all other supporting information.

Remember: A Gravel Availability Inquiry Form may have listed some Comments or Special Conditions to consider.

The more you do now in checking and supplying supporting information including comment from affected parties etc. the more likely your application can be processed and a decision reached without the need to request further information.

Seek assistance: If necessary, employ a consultant to complete your application. Customer Services at Environment Canterbury can supply a list of consultants. A Consents Investigating Officer is available for up to one hour of free advice.

Before you lodge an application and pay your deposit for a Resource Consent consider the following:

• What volume of gravel is required?
• Is it for on-going works, i.e. over a period of several months or years?
• Is it a one-off take for a particular job?
• How soon do you need the gravel?  Depending on the number of applications in process, there could be a delay in processing your application.
• Is the cost involved in obtaining a Resource Consent justified? There is the Application Fee ($1,125.00), the Gravel Charge ($0.09/m³ on Consented Volume) and also on-going costs in relation to Compliance Monitoring to consider.
• It may be that the best option is to source your gravel from a local supplier or to complete the Gravel Availability Inquiry Form to obtain details of existing Consent Holders. They may be willing to negotiate to allow you to extract under their consent or alternatively to supply gravel to you.
• Perhaps you need to re-assess your application. Is it actually a ‘Gravel Take’ you should be applying for or is your application to ‘disturb the bed’ primarily for river control purposes? - in which case it receives a different classification and may not be subject to ‘Gravel Charges’.

Consents held by the regional engineer

In certain areas, the River Engineering section of Environment Canterbury hold consents on-behalf of the River Rating Districts to enable gravel to be removed for River Control purposes. In these areas, a permit can be issued to allow extraction under the Environment Canterbury Consent. If such a consent exists in the area you wish to extract from, it will be noted in the Comments section of the reply. You can complete the Gravel Availability Inquiry Form.

Check gravel availability on website

Gravel Availability information will be added to our website in the near future.

Environment Canterbury does not have detailed information on gravel availability in all rivers. It may be that the river or area you want to extract from is not listed on the website, but we may still hold information pertaining to that site.

The information provided is the best available at the time. It does not guarantee supply, as rivers are dynamic systems influenced by factors beyond our control, but it will give you an indication of what might be available. It also does not make allowances for other resource consent applications currently in process.

As part of our commitment to the sustainable management of the fluvial gravel resource, the network of rivers covered is being extended, the frequency of critical surveys is being increased and the analysis of the data gathered is being focused on gravel management and the production of individual river reports.

This means that, in the future, there will be more up-to-date information on gravel levels in significant rivers throughout Canterbury.  Keep checking on this website for updates.

Complete a gravel availability inquiry form

The Gravel Availability Inquiry Form will be available to download from our website in the near future.

Taking this step will bring your inquiry to the attention of the Gravel Resources Officer who is in a position to scrutinise your inquiry and ensure you receive the best advice available to achieve the most beneficial outcome for your purposes.

Study the information that Environment Canterbury replied with in relation to your inquiry

Take particular note of Availability Comments and of Existing Consents that overlap into the area you wish to extract from. Conditions attached to those consents may affect your ability to exercise your consent, should it be granted e.g. minimum bed levels may be triggered, meaning extraction can’t continue until such time as those levels are restored.

Request a Resource Consent application form for the extraction of gravel

Visit our resource consent forms where you can download a copy of the Resource Consent Application Form for the Extraction of Gravel.
Or contact us for a copy

Application decision

Upon receipt of the decision documents, study them carefully. Ensure you understand fully the implications of the Conditions attached and the affect they may have on your ability to exercise your consent.