ENVENG 200 AEE Process, Effects Assessment and Planning Evidence

What are the three categories of activity status under plans?

Permitted, Controlled, and Restricted Discretionary.

What does 'permitted' activity status mean?

Allowed 'as of right' if the plan requirements and any permitted-activity standards are met. No resource consent application is required.

What is the council's discretion in controlled activity status?

Council discretion is limited to the matters identified in the plan.

What is required for a restricted discretionary activity?

Resource consent is required, and the council generally must grant consent but may impose conditions.

What does discretionary activity status entail?

The council may grant or decline consent, and if granted, conditions may address any relevant adverse effect.

What does non-complying activity status mean?

The council can grant consent only if statutory tests are met, such as minor adverse effects or consistency with relevant plan objectives.

What is the implication of prohibited activity status?

No resource consent application can be made for the prohibited activity.

What is the key idea regarding activity status?

Activity status is a planning-control category, not a direct significance rating.

Why is effect significance important in resource management?

Effect significance still needs evidence, and professional judgement remains required.

What role do plan provisions play in project feasibility?

Plan provisions shape project feasibility and can trigger the need for an AEE.

What is the distinction between activity status and effect significance?

Activity status asks if resource consent is required, while effect significance assesses the environmental change and its importance.

What is the Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP) used for?

The AUP helps understand the planning and environmental context of a site.

What should be identified in the AUP investigation workflow?

Planning layers, provisions, and their relevance to the project.

What is a good assessment move when using planning instruments?

Find the planning matter, cite the source, and explain why it could matter to the project.

What does weak reasoning in planning evidence look like?

Claiming significance solely based on the presence of an overlay.

What is the current framework for resource consent practice?

The RMA 1991 remains the operative framework.

What recent legislative changes are relevant to resource management?

The Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 was repealed, and new Planning and Natural Environment Bills were introduced in December 2025.

What is the course takeaway regarding the RMA/AEE framework?

Learn the RMA/AEE framework as it is the current system in use, while recognizing that professional practice will evolve.

What does AEE stand for?

Assessment of Environmental Effects

Why is an AEE required?

To demonstrate compliance with the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and inform consent authorities and the public.

What is the main purpose of an AEE?

To summarize the proposal and site, the effects, and mitigation/monitoring measures.

What section of the RMA requires an AEE?

RMA s.88 and Schedule 4.

What should an AEE include regarding the proposal?

Description of the activity and site, assessment of actual and potential effects, and description of mitigation measures.

What are the general steps in preparing an AEE?

Describe the proposal, consult with councils, identify effects, propose mitigation conditions, and finalize the AEE.

What should be included in the description of the proposal?

Activity purpose, design, scale, location, site area, boundaries, zoning, and construction methods.

What is the importance of consulting regional and district councils?

To confirm compliance with rules and understand how the proposal fits within the relevant regional plan.

What types of effects should be identified in an AEE?

Biophysical, social, cultural, and cumulative effects.

What are the three approaches to dealing with identified effects?

Avoid, mitigate, and remedy.

What does it mean to 'avoid' an effect?

To change design or location to prevent the effect from occurring.

What does it mean to 'mitigate' an effect?

To reduce the severity of the effect.

What does it mean to 'remedy' an effect?

To fix damage after it occurs.

What is a key quality-assurance step in finalizing an AEE?

To ensure the AEE accurately describes the activity, site, effects, and consultation outcomes.

What should be included in the consultation summary of an AEE?

Engagement with relevant stakeholders such as mana whenua and local councils.

What is a common missing element in AEE submissions?

A thorough assessment of environmental effects.

Why is it important to discuss potential effects on water quality in an AEE?

To address concerns about habitat, amenity, and public access.

What should be considered when proposing alternatives in an AEE?

Whether the project could be located or designed differently to avoid significant effects.

What is the role of monitoring in the AEE process?

To check sediment, vegetation, or safety post-construction.

What should be included in the final check of an AEE?

A complete effects checklist, consultation results, and proposals for monitoring.

What is the significance of cumulative effects in an AEE?

To assess the combined impact of multiple projects or activities on the environment.

What should be included in the description of site surroundings?

Ecological, cultural, or heritage sensitivities nearby.

What is the importance of including maps and photos in an AEE?

To provide visual context and clarity about the site and its features.

What is the expected outcome of the AEE process?

To provide a comprehensive assessment that allows planners to make informed decisions.

What is the first step in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process?

Provide a description of the proposal, site, and surroundings.

What should be identified during the EIA process?

The effects on the environment and people.

What are the key steps in identifying and assessing environmental effects?

Identify potential effects, predict their magnitude or likelihood, evaluate their significance, and rank and record them.

What are the four categories of environmental effects?

Biophysical, Social, Cultural, and Economic.

What does the Leopold Matrix help with in EIA?

It helps organize and visualize environmental effects by linking project actions to environmental factors.

What factors influence the choice of identification method in EIA?

Type and size of proposal, nature of likely effects, availability of identification methods, experience of the EIA team, and resources available.

What are the characteristics of environmental impacts?

Nature, magnitude, extent/location, timing, duration, reversibility, likelihood, and significance.

What types of uncertainty exist in impact/effect prediction?

Scientific uncertainty, data uncertainty, and policy uncertainty.

What are the social effects considered in EIA?

Demographic, Cultural, Community, and Socio-psychological changes.

What factors affect economic effects in EIA?

Duration of construction and operation, workforce requirements, skill requirements, earnings, raw material purchases, capital investment, and outputs.

What are key elements for assessing impact/effect significance?

Environmental standards, level of public concern, and scientific/professional evidence.

What should be considered when determining impact/effect significance?

Environmental loss, social impacts from environmental change, non-conformity with standards, and probability of risk.

What are ecological significance considerations in EIA?

Reduction in species diversity, habitat depletion, and impairment of ecological functions.

What are the environmental standards in EIA?

Limits on waste/emissions discharge, clean air and water quality standards, and policy objectives.

How are effects ranked in EIA?

Effects are rated as No effect, Minor, Moderate, or Significant based on their impact.

What should be done with each adverse effect identified?

Decide whether it can be avoided, remedied, or mitigated.

What is a quick exercise to determine effect significance?

Consider a proposal and identify which potential effect is most significant overall.

What is the significance of cumulative effects in EIA?

Cumulative effects must be considered in combination, not isolation.

What is the purpose of using checklists in EIA?

To provide a simple tick-box of possible effects, useful for small projects.

What is the role of professional judgment in EIA?

It is used for best estimates and assessments of potential impacts.

What is the importance of community consultation in EIA?

It helps gather feedback on cultural and social impacts from iwi/hapū.

What does 'mitigation' mean in the context of EIA?

Actions taken to reduce the severity of adverse effects.

What is the significance of monitoring in EIA?

To ensure that mitigation measures are effective and responsibilities are upheld.

What is the significance of timing in assessing environmental impacts?

Timing can affect whether impacts are immediate or delayed and their rate of change.

What does the term 'reversibility' refer to in EIA?

It refers to whether an impact can be undone or not.

What is the significance of public concern in EIA?

Public concern can influence the assessment of impact significance and decision-making.