A Guide to Private Plan Changes

A guide to understanding private plan changes in the Queenstown Lakes District

Private Plan Changes

  • A private plan change is a formal request made by an individual or organisation to change operative parts of a District Plan. It is generally a process used to enable larger-scale developments on substantial parcels of land.

    Anyone can request a private plan change.

    Most private plan changes are exempt from central government's "plan stop" requirements that are currently in place during the transition to legislation that will replace the Resource Management Act. The Ministry for the Environment website has more information on "plan stop".

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  • Take a look at our Private Plan Change infographic below which explains the process in more detail.

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  • Requesting a Private Plan Change is a complex and often costly process so it's important to get tailored advice before you proceed. 

    We recommend that you seek advice from a planning professional and request a Private Plan Change pre-application meeting with Council using the correct form (downloadable below) and uploaded via the Community Portal. This meeting (wording TBC)

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    • A completed private plan change request form submitted to Council via the Community Portal.
    • A Section 32 analysis, including any expert reports relevant to support this evaluation.
    • An assessment of environmental effects.
    • Details of consultation undertaken or proposed.
    • The required format is set out in Clause 22, Part 2, Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991.
    • A clear plan or map showing the proposed site, it's locality and any surrounding sites. 
    • A freehold Register for the property and copies of any relevant consent notices, covenants and resource consents. 
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  • All costs associated with a private plan change, including Council processing costs, must be paid by the person initiating the request. More information on the costs involved can be found on the Private Plan Change request form.

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  • When Council receives a private plan request change it has three options:

    1. Reject the plan change

    Council may reject a request for various reasons, including:

    • if there is inadequate information

    • if the plan change does not represent good resource management, and would result in the District Plan being inconsistent

    • if the District Plan has not been operative for more than two years, or the provisions covered by the plan change have been considered by Council or the court within the last two years.

    • if the plan change is considered to be frivolous or vexatious
    2. Accept the plan change

    Council agrees that the required information has been provided and can process the information. It does not necessarily mean that Council supports the content of the private plan change.

    3. Adopt the plan change

    If Council agrees with the content and changes proposed by the plan change, they may adopt it as a Council plan change. The process is then the same as if Council had prepared the plan change.

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The submission process

For more information on the submission process, please visit the Guide to Plan Changes page.