Environmental

Waikato Regional Council (WRC) notified its intention to review its Coastal Plan on 18 August 2023. Submissions are open until 14 November 2023 and can be made by anyone.

The Resource Management (Freshwater Farm Plans) Regulations 2023 come into force on 1 August 2023. Farm Operators (someone who has ultimate responsibility for the farm operation) will need to create and follow a Freshwater Farm Plan (“Plan”) to help improve waterways and be in a better position to control the adverse effects of farming on freshwater. The Plan is to help manage risks to freshwater from contaminants such as nitrogen, phosphorous, sediment and E.coli.

The planet hitting a recent population milestone of over 8 billion people is certainly good timing for New Zealand's updated resource management framework, with the introduction of the Spatial Planning Bill and the Natural and Built Environment Bill ("NBE"). These bills are currently open for submissions.

The Water Services Act 2021 is a part of the Three Waters reform led by central government. The Act was passed into law in November 2021.

Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is proposing a new set of rules to support alternative transportation.

Plan Change 12 will bring sweeping changes to density rules in Hamilton’s central city and surrounding areas. In this article, we look at what changes you should know are coming.

In part two of this series on Plan Change 9, we look at the additions Hamilton City Council is making to Significant Natural Areas in the District Plan.

In part one of this series on Hamilton City Council’s Plan Change 9, we look at the major additions Hamilton City Council is making to register historic buildings and heritage areas in the District Plan.

In a move to shape New Zealand’s cities and towns, central government has scrapped requirements for minimum carparking spaces from district plans.