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 experienced environmental lawyers, Chris Fowler and Margo Perpick have 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 significant land development project at Rangiora, North Canterbury, including Covid-19 Fast-Track resource consent application and associated Infrastructure Acceleration Fund application to Kāinga Ora, and presenting case in support of residential rezoning submission at Council hearings.
- Advising on significant land development proposal at Kaiapoi, North Canterbury, beneath airport noise contours including presenting complex case in support of residential rezoning submission at Council hearings.
- Filing Fast Track referral order application seeking approval of 900 lot subdivision proposal and 300-unit retirement village proposal at Kaiapoi.
- Obtaining favorable High Court decision regarding an appeal against Canterbury Regional Council decision on Plan Change 7 which sets an important precedent regarding the primacy of National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry over local RMA planning instruments.
- Representing developer on multiple-lot subdivision proposal in Central Otago involving complex landscape, amenity, and heritage issues.
- Advising forestry companies regarding resource consent applications, certificates of compliance, submissions on proposed plans, and RMA compliance matters throughout New Zealand including within districts/regions of Gisborne, Tauranga, Thames Coromandel, Canterbury, Timaru, Waitaki and Clutha.
- Representing national supermarket operator regarding submissions on proposed Timaru District plan.
- Obtaining urgent directions from a regional council and district council to decommission a dangerous dam pursuant to RMA emergency works provisions.