- The applicant lodges a private plan change request with the district or regional council
- The council processes the request, can request further information and commission reports if necessary
- The council may modify the request with the applicant's permission if appropriate
- The council decides whether to adopt, accept, or reject the request, or convert the request to a resource consent
- The council publicly notifies a request that it has adopted or accepted allowing submissions and further submissions to then be made
- The council holds a hearing where it assesses the request and submissions made and then issues a decision on the request
- The council decision is open to appeal to the Environment Court.