Resource Consent Renewal for Discharge Permits

Renewing your discharge permit for a wastewater system doesn’t need to be difficult. We keep it straightforward and handle the process from start to finish. Based in Marlborough, we know the local Council process well and focus on keeping things practical and easy to understand.

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What’s Involved

System Inspection
We’ll visit your site to carry out a full inspection of the system — that includes the treatment tank, filters, pumps, and disposal field. We look for any wear or damage and flag maintenance items early, so you’ve got time to sort things out before your consent lapses.

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Engineering Assessment
You’ll get a full engineering report prepared by a Chartered Professional Engineer. This checks the condition and performance of the system, confirms soil type, and compares everything against current standards (AS/NZS 1547:2012). It includes a site risk assessment and outlines any actions needed to meet requirements.

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Consent Application
We prepare and submit the resource consent application to Marlborough District Council on your behalf. That includes all the technical documents — site plan, wastewater loading certificate, maintenance schedule, inspection checklist, and anything else required. We also deal with any questions or follow-ups from Council.

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Upgrade Guidance (if needed)
If the system is old, poorly installed, or just not working properly, we’ll let you know what’s needed. If extra design work is required, we’ll talk that through with you before doing anything further. We can also point you to local drainlayers and contractors if any upgrade work is needed.

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What we send to Council

• Site inspection and system review

• Engineering assessment and wastewater report comparing against current standards and guidelines.

• Resource consent application and Assessment of Environmental Effects in line with Council requirements.

• Supporting documents for Council (site plans, certificates, maintenance schedules)

• Follow-up with Council as needed or answer queries.

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Everything is done in line with current Marlborough District Council rules and the latest national standards.

 

Our fees

This service is charged on an hourly rate basis. Preparing both the engineering assessment and the resource consent application is a detailed process, however we keep the approach efficient, practical, and limited to what’s genuinely needed for compliance.

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For most sites in the Marlborough region, the total fee typically falls between $2,500 and $3,000 + GST.

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If the system is found to be inadequate or requires further design work, additional time may be needed. If that happens, we’ll let you know as soon as it’s identified and discuss how best to proceed — no unexpected costs.

For remote properties, a modest travel fee may apply. We’ll confirm this upfront if relevant.

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Please note that Marlborough District Council charges a separate base fee of $1,292.00 (as of 2025) for non-notified discharge consents. This is paid directly to Council when the application is lodged.

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Why Work with RISEN

• We’re based in Marlborough and understand the terrain, local systems, and Council process

• We give honest advice that suits your property and situation

• Our small team offers personal, professional service without the overheads of a large firm

• We regularly work with local drainlayers and contractors to keep things moving

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