Environmental Management
The planning department is responsible for administering the council’s functions under the Resource Management Act 1991. The key planning document is the District Plan, which sets out the issues facing the district and then manages the effects of those issues by setting objectives, policies and rules to achieve the purpose of the Resource Management Act, enabling sustainable management of the district’s natural and physical resources.
Other functions of the planning department include:
- Resource consents processing;
- Processing plan changes
- Monitoring and enforcement of resource consents and activities permitted by the District Plan;
- Review of the District Plan
Building Control
The building control department is responsible for administering the council’s functions under the Building Act 2004. This involves processing building consent applications, monitoring the construction of buildings, and issuing code compliance certificates upon the completion of building. The council is an accredited Building Consent Authority.
Other Regulatory Services
The council has responsibilities under the Dog Control Act 1996 to manage dog control. Responding to and investigating dog complaints and incidents is contracted, but the administration of dog control is managed by staff.
The council is responsible under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 to ensure the council and community are prepared and able to respond in the event of a civil defence emergency.
The council has responsibilities under the Food Act 2014 and Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 which is managed by a contract with Timaru District Council. The council also has responsibilities under the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977.
Mackenzie District Council is part of the South Canterbury Rural District, an enlarged rural fire authority that is a joint venture between Mackenzie, Timaru and Waimate district councils, in conjunction with a forestry owners group, the Department of Conservation, and the New Zealand Fire Service.