split into subsections; introduce notification types

1 files changed, 41 insertions, 22 deletions

diff --git a/assignment3/background.tex b/assignment3/background.tex
index 2f60dd5..a9ead5b 100644
--- a/assignment3/background.tex
+++ b/assignment3/background.tex
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 \section{The resource consent process}
 
-\paragraph{Screening and scoping.} In New Zealand development
-activities are regulated through regional and district plans.  These
-plans are prepared by the regional and district councils in a long
-process that provides ample opportunity for consultation with the
-public and industry representatives
+\subsection{Before the application}
+
+In New Zealand development activities are regulated through regional
+and district plans.  These plans are prepared by the regional and
+district councils in a long process that provides ample opportunity
+for consultation with the public and industry representatives
 alike \parencite{miller2010implementing}.  For any activity not
 explicitly permitted by the plans and policy statements a resource
 consent must be obtained \parencite{fookes}.  Any development activity
@@ -12,30 +13,48 @@ that is advertised as resulting in significant positive impacts on the
 region---the type of activity that this analysis focuses on---is very
 likely to also require resource consents.
 
-\paragraph{Assessment of effects and optional consulation.} After
-checking the appropriate district or regional plans to confirm whether
-a resource consent is required, the applicant is to prepare a thorough
-assessment of environmental effects (AEE). Although it might be
-beneficial to consult with possibly affected people and interested
+After checking the appropriate district or regional plans to confirm
+whether a resource consent is required, the applicant is to prepare a
+thorough assessment of environmental effects (AEE). Although it might
+be beneficial to consult with possibly affected people and interested
 members of the general public at this stage, consultation is not a
 general requirement under the RMA.
 
-\paragraph{Review and additional information.} After the application
-is lodged and the AEE submitted, the council will process it.  If the
-AEE is considered lacking, the council may ask the applicant to
-provide further information; inadequate applications that are unlikely
-to be improved significantly may also be rejected altogether.
+\subsection{Review and additional information}
+
+After the application is lodged and the AEE submitted, the council
+will process it.  If the AEE is considered lacking, the council may
+ask the applicant to provide further information; inadequate
+applications that are unlikely to be improved significantly may also
+be rejected altogether.
 
 % TODO: what percentage of applications is rejected at this stage?
 % majority of rejected applications are made by private people.
 
-\paragraph{Notification.} After a review of the AEE, the
-council processing the resource consent application may decide to
-involve the public by means of public notification or determine that
-public notification is not required when the activity is expected to
-only have minor effects and all affected parties agree on the
-proposal \parencite{fookes}.
-% TODO: a little more on notification types
+% requesting additional information
+
+\subsection{Notification}
+
+After a review of the AEE, the council processing the resource consent
+application may decide to involve the public by means of notification
+or determine that notification is not required when the activity is
+expected to only have minor effects and all affected parties agree on
+the proposal \parencite{fookes}.
+
+A publicly notified application will be advertised in the newspaper
+and be sent to all people thought to be affected by the activity. The
+council will also call for written statements on the proposal from
+members of the general public \parencite{ME959}. In some cases, the
+council may decide to notify only directly affected people (for some
+definition of `affected'); the purpose of such limited notification is
+to give affected people---those who have not provided their written
+approval to the applicant---the opportunity to suggest conditions for
+the resource consent. Limited notification may result from an
+applicant's failure to engage in consultation with the affected people
+before lodging the application, although it may also be required when
+affected people refuse to provide written approval before the
+assessment of environmental effects has been carried out and
+submitted.
 
 Often the quality and coverage of activities in the council's plan
 determine whether or not the expected effects of a development