Project Information Memorandum (PIM)

A Project Information Memorandum (PIM) is a report prepared by council at your request.  It provides:

• Information on special land features including potential:
  • erosion
  • avulsion (removal of land by water action)
  • falling debris
  • subsidence
  • slippage
  • alluvion (the deposition of silt from flooding)
  • presence of hazardous contaminants which are likely to be relevant to the design, construction or alteration of your proposed building which are known to council. 
    
• Information notified to council by any statutory organisation, such as the New Zealand Historic PlacesTrust or the Department of Conservation, which has the power to classify land or buildings for any purpose. 
  
• Details of stormwater or wastewater utility systems which relate to your proposed building work, or which are adjacent to your building site.
  
• Details of any authorisations under other Acts which council requires, and details of the requirements to be met in the granting of these authorisations and the conditions they will be subject to.  The most common authorisations will be resource consents required under the Resource Management Act 1991.
  
• The memorandum will also include either:
  • Confirmation, subject to other provisions of the Act, that you may carry out the building work subject to the requirements of the building consent and subject also to all other necessary authorisations being obtained,

  or

  • Notification that building work may not be undertaken.

When should I obtain a PIM?

For all larger projects, new houses, large alterations and new commercial or industrial buildings you will find a PIM very useful in establishing the feasibility and design practicality of the project. 

How do I obtain a PIM?

PIM application forms are available from any of council’s area offices or they can be posted out to you on request.  You should forward your application with the appropriate fee, to the relevant council area office.

Please be sure that all the information requested is included to enable us to return the memorandum to you as quickly as possible.

If you wish to apply for your PIM with your building consent application, you will need to complete only the building consent application form.

When will I receive the PIM?

Provided all the necessary information is supplied with your application, the PIM will be prepared by council within 10 working days and forwarded to you as quickly as possible.

Resource Management Act 1991

A PIM does not give any form of approval under the District Plan.  You should contact the Development Planner at an area office or your own planning adviser, to determine that your proposal complies with the District Plan.  If it does not, and a resource consent is required, you are strongly advised to obtain this before seeking a building consent to avoid possible expensive changes to your proposal.