WHETHER ADVISING COUNCILS, DEVELOPERS OR AFFECTED PARTIES, I STRIVE TO ENABLE DEVELOPMENT WHICH CREATES VALUE IN OUR LAND AND RESOURCES FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH THE DEVELOPER AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY.

Resource management law is complex and is currently in a state of significant change. I have been actively involved in assisting local government in navigating these legislative reforms.

I advocate for the development community in environmental policy and rule setting processes, and represent developers in the process of securing development rights through resource consents, private plan changes, and designations.

I also work closely with councils to create planning instruments which govern development rights. I advise councils on district plan making, including representing councils at the hearing stage through to negotiations, mediation, and ultimately defending plans on appeal in the Environment Court.

I also advise Councils on contentious resource consent applications, and regularly assist in the resolution of contested applications, including defending council decisions in the Environment Court, and representing Council interests in Boards of Inquiry.

Environmental Expertise

• Environmental policy and plan making

• Private plan changes

• Resource consenting and designations

• Enforcement and prosecution

• Water allocation

• Wastewater treatment and discharge

• Mining

• Large scale urban development

• Coastal development

• Retail, commercial and industrial development

• Public Infrastructure

“As a global mining company we take environmental compliance extremely seriously. Lachlan has helped us set our strategy and has expertly guided Coeur through the New Zealand regulatory framework. He’s a critical part of the team.”

Jay Gear, Corporate Environmental Director, Coeur Mining, Chicago, IL, USA

MUCH OF MY WORK WITHIN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECTOR IS ADVISORY, DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGES THAT FAST GROWING POPULATIONS PRESENT TO COUNCILS.

I work with Councils to ensure governance and decision making processes are legally robust and immune to judicial review challenge, particularly around key policy decisions involving Long Term Plans, Annual Plans, rating and revenue, and development contributions policies.

I have a particular emphasis on guiding councils in their role as a facilitator of growth and development through the provision of public infrastructure. This includes negotiating and positioning councils in public/private infrastructure partnerships and private development agreements. I have a particular expertise in the field of development contributions, advising on policy making, remissions, special assessments, and judicial review of related administrative decisions.

My experience in this area also enables me to provide strategic advice to developers and other entities which engage with the local government sector in order to achieve their development aspirations.

PUBLIC LAW Expertise

• Local Government statutory compliance

• Governance and decision making

• Judicial review

• Long term Plans, Annual Plans, rating powers, revenue policies

• Development contributions

• Public / Private partnerships and development agreements

• Policies and Bylaws

• Community consultation requirements

• Official information

• Local Government Elections

• Iwi engagement and partnering

• Property disputes

“Lachlan has guided Council through many challenges. He has helped ensure we achieve our strategic environmental objectives, and has been instrumental in positioning Council as a leader across the local government sector in terms of iwi engagement and partnering."

Geoff Williams, CEO Rotorua Lakes Council