Writing a submission
When the Minister for the Environment refers a matter to a board of inquiry or the Environment Court the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) will publicly notify it. Any person may then lodge submissions on the matter.
All submissions must be served on the EPA so they are received before the closing date, which is written on submission forms and in the public notification. The closing date will be 20 working days after the notification of a proposal. Try to get your submission to the EPA well before the closing date. If you send your submission by post close to the closing date, check to make sure that it has arrived in time.
After the closing date, the EPA will send all submissions to the board/Court. The board or Court will consider the submissions in making its decision.
The Ministry for the Environment has a number of publications that give tips on writing a clear and effective submission. These can be accessed via Getting involved in the resource consent process on the Ministry's website.
To write an effective submission, it is useful to keep the following points in mind, to make sure that your submission is as valuable as possible:
- familiarise yourself with the application and supporting information
- stick to the current application - don't get distracted by personal issues or past disputes
- focus on the environmental effects
- be specific about your concerns and how you want them addressed
- tell the board/Court what you want
- write in clear and simple, everyday language
- include all of the points you want to make.
Make sure that you fill out the form provided and include your full name, address, telephone, fax number and email address. On this form you should also note which parts of the application your submission relates to, in particular if you support or oppose specific parts of the application.
Take time to clearly state why you are making a submission and any specific information you want the board or Court to consider. In addition, it can help if you clearly state the decision you want the board or Court to make, including any conditions you may want the board/Court to impose.
You can find information about possible environmental effects in the assessment of environmental effects, which must be included with every matter. Point out any environmental effects you feel the application doesn't adequately identify. Remember that your local knowledge might add to the board/Court's understanding of the effects that a proposal might have.
Make sure you state in your submission whether you want to speak at the hearing. You don't have to, and while speaking at a hearing can help highlight what you said in your submission, your submission is just as valid if you don't speak. If you do speak at a hearing, you will only be able to talk about issues you have included in your written submission.
Last updated: 1 October 2009
