New President for RMLA
Martin Williams, Barrister specialising in local government and environmental law (based in Napier) was elected President of the Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand Inc (RMLA), at the Association’s recent annual conference held in New Plymouth
Martin Williams has been a member of the Association’s National Committee since 2006, holding the position of Secretary on the executive for the last two years. Martin has also been a convenor of the RMLA conference portfolio since 2006, and has been directly and actively involved in organising all RMLA annual conferences since that time. For the last two years Martin was co-convenor of the RMLA Courts Liaison portfolio.
The Association, which represents professionals from a wide range of disciplines, plays an important role in all aspects of resource management and aims to promote within New Zealand an understanding of resource management law and its implementation in a multi-disciplinary framework; excellence in resource management policy and practice; resource management processes which are legally sound, effective and efficient and which produce high quality environmental outcomes.
Martin has practised as a barrister sole specialising in local government and environmental law since 2000, after five years within the resource management/environmental law team as a solicitor at Russell McVeagh.
He now primarily practices within the Hawke’s Bay from his office at Shakespeare Chambers in Napier, but retains a client base in Auckland and has an association with Quay Chambers in Auckland. Martin has extensive experience acting for local authorities, consent applicants and submitters through the range of resource management processes provided for under the Resource Management Act, along with significant experience advising on Local Government Act issues, including local authorities.
Martin has been involved in numerous Environment Court and High Court proceedings regarding a wide gambit of RMA and local government issues, including central roles in a number of leading cases relating to landscape, urban design, noise, natural hazard and soil contamination issues. Martin is currently part of the legal team involved in the Tukituki Catchment Proposal, focussing on the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme, and due for hearing before a Board of Inquiry in November and December of this year.
Martin trusts that this diverse and extensive range of experience will equip him well to make a positive contribution at the helm of the Association over the forthcoming 12 month period.