Resource Consent Process – Vincero Holdings Limited
Smart subdivisions win consent – and ensure the environment wins too
Vincero Holdings Limited wanted to create an eco-friendly development for a 100ha coastal block of land in the Horowhenua District. We helped them find the best route to issue new titles for the subdivision, and achieve the required consent.
Our solution? Come up with a stellar subdivision design – and a point of difference. We took the extra step to create a development management plan that addressed a myriad of complex issues presented by the council. This unique approach proved pivotal to the Independent Commissioner’s decision to grant consent.
Impressed with our results, Vincero Holdings asked us to continue with the project through to its successful completion.
Plan Change Process – Carolina Farms
Guaranteeing future land use with a smart and direct approach.
Carolina Farms were concerned a District Plan review would affect farm operations on their 1000+ ha of prime coastal land on the Coromandel Peninsula – and restrict changes to land use in years to come.
Our challenge: to ensure the District Plan was amended to allow for existing operations, and provide a balanced planning document for future changes – as cost-effectively as possible. The solution? Think efficiently – and go straight to the people who make the call.
We started with strong, directive submissions on the plan - and a strategy to use the Environment Court process if the council did not accept these submissions. This was followed by a mediated process directly with decision makers, allowing frank discussion and governance input to Council officials.
The dual strategy paid off, resulting in an amended District Plan and a favourable out of court settlement for Carolina Farms.
Resource Consent Process – Integrated Stormwater Management – Porirua City Council
Technical experts, with a thorough and personal approach.
Porirua City Council needed a completely new stormwater network for part of its district - and quickly – to protect residential communities and better manage stormwater catchments. We successfully gained authorization for the construction and installation of a piped network and other infrastructure, as well as RMA consents required from the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Our winning approach?
Get face to face: We met with the client and the Greater Wellington Regional Council to discuss consent requirements
Provide robust assessment, strategy and documentation: We reviewed relevant regional plans to formulate the most effective strategy; prepared budgets, costings and application documents; reviewed draft conditions and advised client on risk and potential costs; formulated and managed plans to comply with consent conditions – from fish relocation to construction management
Utilise contacts and communication: We managed and sought information from expert ecologists, negotiated and undertook discussions with Greater Wellington Regional Council to ensure consents were approved
Make life easy for our clients: We coordinated other services including: drawings and development of management plans and construction specifications; ensuring proposals were permitted activities, private land owner agreements for construction activities; easement plans and document approval from Council and landowners to protect the works.
Public Works Act Negotiation – Henderson
Experts in the art of negotiation, securing fair compensation for land or opportunities lost.
After managing a successful resource consent application, we were the first people the Henderson’s came to when they next needed help. The Transport Agency wanted to purchase a portion of the Henderson land for an expressway project, and the Henderson’s wanted to ensure they received fair compensation for the sale.
We liaised with The Transport Agencies representatives, represented Henderson during all negotiations, reviewed plans and agreements, and advised on mitigation options right through to settlement.
Our expert knowledge of the Public Works Act process, along with property market knowledge and insight into other Transport Agency settlements, ensured a fair settlement was achieved – and the Henderson’s were again left satisfied.
Project Management - Defence Housing Rationalisation Programme – New Zealand Defence Force
A holistic and precise approach covering all bases.
Selling 232 houses quickly is no easy task. But we did it - and exceeded expectations of proceeds and number of sales.
After successfully disposing of 70 houses on behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force, the programme was extended to a further 150 – and timeframes shortened to fast-track sales. A robust project plan, careful planning around evaluation and acceptance of tenders, and development of additional templates such as health and safety checklists and site remediation approvals to ensure critical steps were not missed, ensured continuing success.
Total sale proceeds to date amount to more than $7 million. Our team ensures smooth collaboration across multiple work streams and agencies, and manages all project strands including:
- Chairing the Project Management Group (includes senior NZDF Department Directors, an internal communications manager, a valuation consultant, and a LINZ Accredited Agent)
- Risk register input
- NZDF communications, finance and legal team liaison; coordination of accredited suppliers and consultants
- Being a part of the tender evaluation team
- Project forecasting, milestone and project-specific reporting
We have expertise in:
- Resource Management Planning
- Public works act advice
- Compensation advice
- Negotiation - Project Management and Property Planning
- Project management
- Acquistion and Disposal
- Commerical leases, maintenance and management