'The straw that broke the camel's back': An evaluation of the practice of cumulative effects assessment at six local authorities: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science in Environmental Management

• Main Author: Thompson, Shelley C
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English

Content Partner: Lincoln University. Cumulative effects are incrementally additive effects which become significant at a certain point. Cumulative effects assessment (CEA) is the process of assessing the cumulative effects of a project or policy. Such cumulative effects currently form a major environmental issue in New Zealand, as does the process of CEA. The literature surrounding CEA shows in explicit detail that it is a very challenging process, fraught with difficulties. Cumulative effects are inherent within the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and are required to be addressed by local authorities when; developing plans, assessing resource consent applications, and undertaking other tasks in order to prevent the cumulative degradation of our country’s resources. This research undertaken in this dissertation investigates the different approaches that six local authorities have taken towards addressing cumulative effects and explores the constraints that each of those local authorities face. A multiple case study approach was adopted that involved semi-structured interviews with both a policy planner and a consent planner from each of the following case study local authorities: Environment Canterbury, Otago Regional Council, Christchurch City Council, Dunedin City Council, Waimakariri District Council and Queenstown-Lakes District Council. These interviews provided a valuable insight into the practice of CEA at the local authority level, despite the limited generalisability of the case study approach. Literature surrounding the CEA process was reviewed throughout the research aspect of this dissertation, and the common themes and constraints of CEA practice were compared to form an evaluative framework that presented the findings. The findings showed that the primary approach adopted is the strategic setting of qualitative and quantitative standards through plans (both regional and district). There is a clear difference between the local authorities in the level of consideration that each gives to cumulative effects within their own various plans. From primary consideration at the plan development stage, down to the inclusion of specific rules and assessment matters and project level CEA. The lower the level of consideration within a plan the more likely it is that project level CEA is carried out hence more specific, detailed CEA is promoted. Throughout the local authorities studied, a range of methods for regulating adverse cumulative effects were a