RMLA Regional News - April 2013
Auckland - Kitt Littlejohn
Greetings from Auckland! On 7 March the Auckland branch hosted a seminar jointly with the NZPI on the proposed Auckland City Rail Link. The seminar at Beca was presented by the Auckland Transport team responsible for the project. They gave a very informative and excellent presentation on this significant underground rail link project and the RMA designation approach. The seminar was very well attended and prompted much discussion at the post seminar drinks.
On 5 April, I presented the RMLA’s submission on the 2012 Resource Management Reform Bill to the LG&E Select Committee. The Chair thanked the Association for its detailed and helpful submission (a copy of which can be viewed on the Association’s website).
If you haven't already registered, then I suggest you do for an update from the Environment Minister, Hon Amy Adams to be held at Bell Gully on 24 April. Visit the RMLA website for registration details.
On 8 May, the RMLA Roadshow, Transport 101 – a seminar to be presented by Tony Penny of Traffic Design Group will be held in Auckland. Tony will give an overview of transportation planning as it applies to the range of planning activities from the definition of transportation networks at the district wide scale to the compliance with District Plan transportation rules for small development consents.
And don't forget to mark your diary for the annual Salmon Lecture - 25 July at the Northern Club - where Chief Justice Sian Alias will be presenting.
Since the last newsletter our long awaited draft Unitary Plan has been notified, with a loud fanfare and various open days! Hopefully not co-incidentally, our endless summer has finally broken and autumn has arrived! All the best.
Wellington - Jill Gregory
After starting the year with a bang with drinks on the waterfront, the Wellington branch hosted a “Consenting Pathways” seminar in early March. James Gardner-Hopkins, Kerry Anderson and Richard Peterson provided differing insights into their clients experiences with the traditional consenting pathway, direct referrals and boards of inquiry. Their presentations were followed by open and frank discussion amongst the wider group. The seminar was well attended and we thank the speakers and Chapman Tripp for hosting. Looking ahead we have a Housing Affordability seminar on 23 April with a fantastic line up on speakers: Murray Sherwin, Ian Cassels, Michael Dunn and John Hutchings. Make sure you register now for this event and we look forward to seeing you there.
Queenstown / Central Otago - Jan Caunter
On 20 March, the Branch met with officials from the Ministry for the Environment to hear about the proposed RMA reforms. A lively debate followed, which left the Ministry in no doubt about the views of Branch members on various aspects of the reforms and the alleged efficiencies to be gained.
The reforms will be discussed at a Branch seminar to be held later in the year, once the reforms have progressed to Bill stage.
We look forward to welcoming Tony Penny to Queenstown on Tuesday 14 May for the transport roadshow.
Otago / Southland - Chris Thomsen
After our Christmas hiatus the branch is well into its planning for 2013. We have indicated to the National Committee that we are interested in hosting a number of worthy roadshows this year, including an entry –level seminar on subdivisions aimed at junior practitioners and non-specialists, a prosecution case law update and a seminar sharing experiences of Boards of Inquiry and direct referrals.
First out of the blocks this year though is a transportation roadshow hosted by Tony Penny to be held at NZTA’s offices on 15 May. It may not hurt to pencil that into your diaries now in anticipation of formal invite and registration details being circulated in due course.
Locally the branch remains pleased to hear from any local practitioners whom may wish to run a seminar or workshop.