Project Information Memorandum (PIM)

What is a PIM?

A PIM is a report we prepare that contains information about special features of the land and existing utility services on your property.

• resource consents
• Heritage New Zealand approvals
• development contributions, if they apply.

A PIM is voluntary. It is not necessary to have one when applying for a building consent.

When you should get a PIM

You can apply for a PIM any time before you complete your application for a resource consent or building consent.

The best time to apply for a PIM is before starting preliminary design work, so that we can give you accurate information about the consents and approvals you may need.

What a PIM contains

A PIM includes information on special land features and required approvals, including:

• erosion and land collapse or movement
• falling debris
• subsidence
• slippage
• alluvion (silt deposited as a result of flooding)
• inundation (flooding)
• presence of hazardous contaminants
• information we've been given by any statutory organisation - such as the Heritage New Zealand or the Department of Conservation
• stormwater or wastewater utility systems related to your proposed building work, or adjacent to your building site
• authorisations under other Acts that we require, and 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.

A PIM will also include:

• confirmation that you may carry out the building work (subject to the requirements of the building consent and all other necessary authorisations being obtained)
• notification that you may not undertake building work.

Why a PIM is useful

Your PIM will tell you all the consents, approvals and geotech reports you need for your consent application.

Having this information to give to your designers and builders makes the application process more efficient.

What you need to apply for a PIM

The more information you give us about your project, the better guidance we can give you.

Examples of the kind of information we need are:

• drawings and plans that have the:
• drawing date, number and title
• designer's name
• address of property
• the location and external dimensions of the proposed and existing buildings
• proposal to dispose of stormwater and wastewater
• precautions to be taken if work is proposed close to existing drains, sewers, wells and water mains
• volumes of proposed disturbed earth
• location, dimension and gradient of parking, manoeuvring, and vehicle crossing
• areas of impermeable surfaces
• location and size of outdoor living and service courts
• locations of streams, lakes and wetlands and their riparian margins (protected vegetation)
• position of protected trees or vegetation
• height in relation to boundary controls and maximum height controls.

The application should also include:

• approvals from Heritage New Zealand if applicable
• a project description that is accurate and describes all work involved in the project
• evidence of ownership or rights over the property and if you are not the owner, authorisation to apply for a consent

We may ask for further information, depending on your building proposal.

PIM fee

Fees are indicative only and are subject to change.

​Apply for a PIM

The more information you can provide in your PIM application about your project, the more comprehensive information can be supplied by council.