Environmental law governs how people interact with the environment by regulating the use, development and protection of natural and physical resources. It’s an area of law that is continuously developing and can be complex.
Our clients benefit from our experience gained from many years of advising on land development projects within urban and rural environments. We recognise the intricacies involved with central and local government planning regulation, different consenting and rezoning pathways, and the matrix of environmental issues that arise on complex projects.
We act for a wide range of clients including property developers, plantation forest owners, retirement village operators, large format retailers, insurance companies and individual landowners, amongst others.
Our work includes residential, commercial and rural projects, and involves a diverse range of issues such as water use, heritage buildings, forestry, contaminated land and natural hazards.
As an experienced environmental lawyer Chris Fowler has in-depth knowledge and expertise to navigate through any environmental problem or opportunity.
Examples of how we can help include:
- Applying for resource consents, private plan changes, and other forms of environmental approval
- Making submissions on consent applications, plans, policy statements, and legislation
- Mediating and negotiating environmental disputes
- Representation at hearings before Councils, the Environment Court, and the High Court
- Responding to abatement notices, council investigations and RMA prosecutions
- Environmental due diligence on acquisitions, especially around the merits of proposed change of zoning and/or land use
- Reviewing and contesting development contributions
- Providing strategic, practical advice on the above
EXAMPLES OF OUR RECENT WORK
- Advising on major land development project at Rangiora, North Canterbury, including Covid-19 Fast-Track resource consent applications and associated Infrastructure Acceleration Fund application to Kāinga Ora.
- Representing forestry companies before Council hearings, the Environment Court, and the High Court regarding district and regional planning issues affecting the plantation forestry sector in Thames Coromandel, Southland and Canterbury.
- Advising on Covid-19 Fast-Track resource consent application for 400 lot subdivision and retirement village proposal at Kaiapoi, North Canterbury.
- Acting for developer on complex and contentious multiple-lot subdivision proposal in Central Otago.
- Representing national supermarket operator before Council and Environment Court to secure commercial zoning of land to enable establishment of new supermarket in Dunedin.
- Representing forestry companies charged with offences under the RMA by the Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council.
- Advising and representing the Canterbury Museum to secure resource consent for proposed $195M redevelopment project.
- Representing the New Zealand Forest Owners Association regarding its submission on the proposed National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity.