Resource Management and Local Government

Resource Management and Local Government

TODD & WALKER Law has a distinguished reputation as one of the leading Resource Management and Local Government law firms in the Queenstown Lakes District and wider South Island.

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) is one of New Zealand’s most significant pieces of legislation, governing the use of all natural resources (land, water, discharges to air and land). Resource management applications relate to activities such as:

• Resource consent applications for developments, commercial activities, tourism infrastructure, right to take and use water, and/or discharge to land or air;
• Submissions on consent applications;
• Subdivision applications;
• Submissions to District Plans or Plan Changes;
• Enforcement proceedings;
• Appeals or direct referrals to the Environment Court or higher appeal Courts; and
• Judicial Reviews to the High Court.

If you are contemplating such uses it is critical to have experienced advisers who are fully familiar with the RMA and processes associated with it.

Our specialist team have an extensive depth of expertise and knowledge of the regulatory complexities and appeal processes that come with Resource Management and Local Government law.  We are renowned for handling complex projects and our expertise includes commercial and residential subdivision and land use, policy and legislative advice.

 We always look for favourable solutions for our clients and opportunities to resolve disputes, however where settlement is not possible the team are highly experienced advocates having acted on a number of appeals, prosecutions, and Judicial Review proceedings.

Our team work closely with our clients to understand their specific needs and objectives and the environment they operate in to deliver expert and commercially focused advice.

Consultant Graeme Todd who has acted in this area of law since 1981 has appeared for numerous high-profile developments and regularly appears before Councils and appeal Courts.

Principal Michael Walker has significant knowledge and experience having represented both the Queenstown Lakes District Council and private clients in various consent applications and appeals. Michael has acted on a number of judicial review proceedings and prosecutions under the RMA.

Rosie Hill, a Senior Associate specialising in Resource Management is an experienced advocate having regularly appeared in Council and Court hearings on all areas of resource management and environmental law including plan changes, consenting, property subdivision and development, tourism, and freshwater issues. She is also a member of the Institute of Directors and the Resource Management Law Association.

Ben Gresson, an Associate in the Resource Management team, has appeared before Councils, the Environment Court and High Court. Ben has also assisted Graeme on a number of high profile, large scale resource consent developments and appeared with Michael in judicial review proceedings and RMA prosecutions.

Our team is also highly experienced in Local Government Law. Both Graeme and Michael have each represented local authorities in the past and have a real world understanding of how Councils operate.

Our Resource Management and Local Government Lawyers

Find out about the members of our Resource Management team