Project Information Memoranda (PIMs)

A Project Information Memorandum (PIM) provides information about land and the requirements of other Acts that might be relevant to proposed building work. We will issue a PIM following an application by the owner.


Applying for a PIM

You may apply for a PIM at any time if you are considering carrying out building work where a building consent is required.

Application in PDF format - suitable for printing and completing by hand.

The application must include:

  • Details of the location of building work
  • Description of building work
  • Details of any change of use (if applicable)
  • Estimated value of building work
  • Previous consents issued for the project, if applicable
  • Subdivision details
  • PIMs are subject to processing fees. Information on these fees may be found in Fees and Charges. We may also require information on the following:
  • The intended use of the proposed building
  • The location and external dimensions of the proposed building
  • Provisions to be made for vehicle access in buildings over or adjacent to any road or public place, and for disposing of stormwater and wastewater
  • Precautions to be taken if building work is carried out over any existing drains or sewers or in close proximity to wells or water mains
  • Proposed connections to public utilities from the proposed building work

Issuance of a PIM

PIMs will be issued from within 20 working days of receipt of a PIM application. Within 10 working days of receiving the application, we may request further information relating to the application and suspend the application until we receive this information. The PIM will be issued within 10 working days of receiving this information.


Information a PIM includes

PIMs include all information likely to be relevant to the proposed building work. This can include:

  • Information identifying each special feature of the land concerned (if any)
  • Information that, in terms of any other Act, has been notified to the Council by a statutory authority
  • Details of existing stormwater or wastewater utility systems on, or adjacent to, the site of the proposed building work or that relate to the proposed building work
  • Details of any authorisation (including requirements to be met and conditions) in respect of the proposed building work that the Council, on its own behalf and on behalf of any network utility operator, is authorised to refuse or require under any other Act
  • Either confirmation that the building work may be carried out subject to the requirements of a building consent and subject also to all other necessary authorisations being obtained, or notification that building work may not be carried out because any necessary authorisation has been refused, despite the issue of any building consent
  • If the PIM relates to the construction of a building on land composed of two or more allotments, the statement referred to in section 75(2)
  • Information regarding the heritage status of the building
  • A statement, if the building is of historic nature, that the New Zealand Historic Places Trust will be (or has been) notified
  • If the Council considers that the owner of the building is likely to be required to make provision for an evacuation scheme under section 21A of the Fire Service Act 1975 or applicable legislation, a statement to that effect
  • A certificate under section 37 stating that building work may not proceed until a resource consent has been obtained, or may only proceed to the extent stated in the certificate