The decision

The EPA may grant a consent (in whole or in part) or refuse an application. 186  The EPA may refuse an application for consent if it considers that it does not have adequate information to determine the application. 187  If the EPA grants the application, it may issue the consent subject to conditions.

The decision on an application for a discretionary marine consent must be issued within 20 working days after the conclusion of the hearing. 128  For non-notified discretionary activities the decision must be made as soon as is reasonably practicable and no later than 50 working days after the application is accepted as complete. 129

Example: Submissions on the first Trans-Tasman Resources marine consent application initially closed on 19 December 2013 but this was extended until 28 January 2014. The Applicant’s expert evidence was lodged on 17 February 2014 and Submitter’s expert evidence was lodged on 24 February 2014. The hearing commenced on 10 March 2014 and adjourned on 8 May 2014 so that the Decision-making Committee could more fully consider the information provided during the hearing. The Decision-making Committee exercised its delegated powers to extend the time period for completing a hearing and formally closed the hearing on 19 May 2014.  The decision was publicly released on 18 June 2014.

The following links provide examples of opening submissions and closing submissions, and  transcript from a section of cross examination

 

  1. Or the closing date for making submissions if a hearing is not held

  2. Section 68 Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012

  3. Section 62 Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012

  4. Section 62(2) Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012

Last updated at 4:18PM on December 28, 2017