Planting Native Bush – Subdivision & Environmental Benefit
April 2022
This article discusses another common way of subdividing in the rural zones. If there is no available bush or wetland on your property, and you are looking to subdivide, the planting of native bush may be a way to do this.
Wetland Restoration – How to achieve Significant Ecological Area (SEA) Quality
February 2022
At Cato Bolam, we are experts in answering your questions on how to preserve wetlands and in this article we discuss what is involved in restoring a degraded wetland to one that meets the Significant Ecological Area (SEA) criteria of the Auckland Unitary Plan.
Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Bill Passed
December 2021
The New Housing Supply Bill has passed its third reading and will shortly become law. This bill amends the Resource Management Act 1991 with the aim of rapidly accelerate the supply of housing to address some of the issues with housing choice and affordability that New Zealand currently faces in its largest cities. The new Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) will be introduced by councils, including Auckland Council, and have varying effect from August 2022.
The MDRS have been amended through the submissions and Select Committee process. Cato Bolam Planning Director, Peter Reaburn summaries the changes and the new density standards in this hot off the press article.
New Housing Supply Bill – “Single House” zone no longer, three dwellings would be permitted
November 2021
The New Housing Supply Bill, if it becomes law, will force changes to all of New Zealand’s major city district plans. Cato Bolam Planning Director, Peter Reaburn outlines the impacts of the proposed new standards, in particular the significant change to the Single House Zone.
New Housing Supply Bill – Amendment to the RMA – Preliminary Information and Observations
November 2021
Prepared by Peter Reaburn, Director of Planning. The purpose of these notes is to provide preliminary information, advice and observations on the new Bill. While the notes are focussed on Auckland, the new Bill applies to all of New Zealand’s major (“Tier 1”) cities.
A Close Up Look at Countryside Living Subdivision
November 2021
The entire Countryside Living zone is intended for rural residential living on the outskirts of Auckland, but it is the precinct overlays that determine what can be done in the way of subdivision. Here we take a close up look at the specifics of zones, the precinct overlays and what it all means in the south and north areas of the Auckland region.
Property Development – The Importance of Initial Development Feasibility and Concept Option Analysis
October 2021
At Cato Bolam we work with a large range of clients, from first time developers and investors right up to large scale development experts. Whenever we are contacted about a new project one of the first questions that is common across the spectrum, is “what can I do with the site?” For less experienced developers we are also explaining the property development process and offering guidance on where to start.
Whangarei Urban Plan Changes Now Operative – New Opportunities
September 2021
Whangarei’s new urban plan has become operative. This brings a whole new range of development opportunities for urban areas, including unit titles, town houses and apartments. Simon Reiher, Director of our Whangarei office, outlines what is achievable within the urban areas following these changes.
RMA Reform – It’s Still a “Watch this Space”
August 2021
The initial public consultation round for the proposed Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) is now underway, with public submissions on a recently released Draft to be considered by a Select Committee later this year. Cato Bolam’s Planning Director Peter Reaburn, discusses what we know so far and the questions yet to be answered.
Wetlands – Environment and Landowner Advantages
June 2021
With the Unitary Plan now finalised, an existing good quality wetland, either identified as Significant Ecological Area (SEA) on the planning maps, or meeting the SEA quality standards, can generate an ability to subdivide. The final rules, also allow for the restoration of degraded wetlands with the aim of the wetland being designated to be SEA.
