Principles & Practice of Designations under the RMA

This one-day workshop aims to introduce designations to those planners who have little experience in their use.

It will provide an overview of their statutory framework under the RMA, the status of the designation in a District Plan, how this may be altered and the purposes of an outline plan of works. The course will also address conditions on designations and some case law will be discussed.


Designations are a key tool under the RMA for consenting, constructing, operating and future proofing many medium to large scale projects. The practice of establishing, applying for and using designations under the RMA is often not well understood. This is not surprising given that by far the vast majority of development proposals are established through resource consents, which are quite different to designations. Furthermore, there are only limited people or organisations who can exercise designation powers.

Understanding how designations work is an important area of knowledge for all planners, particularly those interested in working with councils, central government organisations and infrastructure providers that help deliver public good projects. The presenters will use case studies including AUT University’s South campus designation and that of Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth for the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Presenters:

Justine Bray

Justine is a Planner with over 30 years’ experience in local government and consultancy and is a long -standing Full Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute. Throughout her career she has managed significant planning projects for Ministers of the Crown, including the role of Expert Witness in the Environment Court. Her current roles include preparing notices of requirements, ‘roll overs” of designations from operatives plans and outline plans for development proposals on existing designations.

Luke Hinchey

Luke advises private and public clients on the resource management and environmental aspects of projects, litigation and mergers & acquisitions. He has advised on property subdivision and development, district and regional planning processes and public works and land acquisition in industrial, energy, infrastructure, and waste management matters.

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Hope you can join us!