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Going for housing growth, to improve housing affordability

By Lisa Perry, Planner, Baseline Group, Christchurch Ph 0800 257 123, E: info@ blg.nz | Aug 23, 2024

The 2023 election saw a change in government and a shift in direction from building up and intensifying urban land to building out. This shift is part of a work programme for reforming New Zealand’s resource management system and includes implementing a “Going for Housing Growth” work package to “fix the housing crisis”.

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What does an activity status mean for your land development?

By Laurie Atkinson | Jul 22, 2024

If you are looking to develop an assessment of the standards and provisions of the District Plan needs to be undertaken. Once this assessment has been undertaken you will find the development will be categorised into a certain activity status depending on the nature of the proposed development. These are listed below along with a brief description of what the statuses mean for a proposed development.

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The costs of subdividing hitting Selwyn | development contributions

By Alice Floyd | Jun 24, 2024

Subdivision and Selwyn go hand in hand however, there are new cost of subdividing hitting the Selwyn region. Although there are new costs, with a new district plan ripe and ready for use, the best time for subdivision is now. While there are many benefits to subdivision, monetarily and otherwise, there is an often-hidden cost that may sting landowners if not understood prior to gaining approval for subdivision consent. This pesky obscured cost is found in development contributions.

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The Role of Planning in Land and Property Development

By Anna Bensemann, Senior Planner, Baseline Group, Ph 0800254723 E: info@ blg.nz | Jun 06, 2024

The planning system in New Zealand often gets criticism for being the source of many frustrations. Developers face cost and time delays associated with processes under the Resource Management Act (RMA), while stakeholders such as environmental organizations and Iwi are concerned that there are insufficient protections for the land and environment they value.

Planners, who are at the forefront of these frustrations, play a crucial role in explaining the nature of planning provisions and the processes required under the RMA. They also manage the competing interests associated with the use and development of our land, air, and water resources, with a focus on creating sustainable outcomes.

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Flood Management – An Update

By Laurie Atkinson, Planner, Baseline Group, Christchurch Ph 0800 254 123 E:info@blg.nz | Jun 06, 2024

Applications for a residential unit or principle building on a single urban site

If you are proposing to develop a residential unit on an urban site and it triggers the need for a Flood Assessment Certificate (FAC) under a Rule in the District plan, then all applications for a FAC are to include a site plan, which includes existing site ground levels in relation to a datum reference. This has to be certified by a licensed cadastral surveyor.

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Land Development opportunities and times of change

By Lisa Perry, Planner, Baseline Group, Christchurch Ph 0800 257 123 E:info@blg.nz | Apr 30, 2024

The one constant we can rely on is change and Selwyn has experienced some significant changes in the past 10 years, most notably, population growth and urban land development. Based on current trends, the Selwyn District is the fastest growing district in the country. More residential land development is needed. The question is, where.

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Managing Wastewater in Rural Canterbury: A Guide for Property Owners

By Anna Bensemann, Senior Planner, Baseline Group Ph 0800123257 E: info@ blg.nz | Apr 17, 2024

Onsite wastewater systems in Rural Canterbury are reasonably common and are also known as septic tank systems. Appropriately dealing with sewage from rural property is important to ensure waste is not entering streams, groundwater or pooling in the backyard your children play in. It is essentially a public health matter, and the installation of on-site wastewater treatment systems is controlled by the Regional Council, Environment Canterbury (ECan).

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Importance of Sediment Management in Land Development Projects: Simple Techniques for Effective Sediment Runoff Control

By Anna Bensemann, Senior Planner, Baseline Group, Ph 0800123257 E: info@ blg.nz | Apr 17, 2024

Land development projects play a crucial role in shaping urban and rural landscapes, providing spaces for housing, commerce, and infrastructure. However, these projects can also have significant environmental impacts, particularly concerning sediment runoff into waterways. Sediment management during land development is essential to mitigate these impacts and protect water quality, ecosystems, and human health.

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Time matters – With Resource Consent

By Lisa Perry, Planner, Baseline Group, Christchurch Ph 0800 257 123 E:info@blg.nz | Mar 08, 2024

For most development projects, time is money and a common complaint with Resource Consent is delays. Consent authorities have a duty to avoid unreasonable delays. Not keeping to agreed timeframes under the Resource Management Act (RMA) has implications for applicants and consent authorities alike. For applicants, timeframe over runs can result in cashflow crises and budget blow outs. For consent authorities (Council), a timeframe failure allows applicants to claim refunds on processing fees of up to 50% and may also result in reputational damage if it is a regular occurrence.

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The rise or fall of rural lifestyle blocks in the Selwyn District?

By Laurie Atkinson, Planner, Baseline Group | Ph: 03 339 0401 | E: Info@blg.nz | Feb 19, 2024

New Zealand is arguably one of the most beautiful countries in the world and therefore it is no surprise that more and more people are opting to live in rural lifestyle blocks. Lifestyle blocks, despite being a rural construct, have big association to cities, with dwellers often undertaking most of their activities within the city. Lifestyle blocks have become an attractive option in Selwyn with residents living in the Selwyn district and carrying out most daily activities within Christchurch.

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