Affected party approvals

When is affected party approval required?

If you are applying for a resource consent with Christchurch City Council or Selwyn District Council they may ask you to provide an "affected party approval" from Orion. This will be required when the development/activity could have long term impacts on Orion assets.

Developing near our strategic lines

If you’re planning construction or earthworks near one of our towers, you may need affected party approval from Orion. Depending on the type of structure and the line voltage, an Earth Potential Rise (EPR) assessment by an Orion-approved design consultant may also be required. This assessment ensures that any risk of hazardous voltages transferring to nearby buildings, services, or public areas during a fault is identified and mitigated. For developments within 30 metres of a tower, please expect that EPR considerations will form part of our review and may require an assessment.

The New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice (NZECP34:2001)

In addition to the Christchurch District Plan, NZECP 34:2001(external link) sets out safety requirements for structures and activities, like mobile plant use and earthworks near overhead electric lines.

These rules are designed to protect people, property, and equipment from electrical hazards and must be followed based on the voltage and type of line. Compliance with NZECP 34:2001 is mandatory and applies alongside District Plan requirements.

Do I need an affected party approval or a close approach consent?

In simple terms, affected party approval is required when the impact on Orion’s assets may be long-term or permanent, such as when resource consent is involved. In contrast, a close approach consent is about keeping people safe while they carry out short-term work near Orion’s network.

In many cases, both approvals will be needed - one to manage the long-term impact on Orion’s infrastructure, and the other to ensure safety during the work itself.