Planning

This study focused on enhancing the walkability of the Greymouth Town Centre.  The comprehensive final report covered high level strategic planning through to detailed recommendations for site specific design investigations.

ViaStrada has provided transport planning advice to the Christchurch City Council with respect to the transport-related provisions in the Christchurch City Plan to support the Central City South Master Plan. The master plan was adopted by Council in May 2009 and established the main characteristics (desired outcomes) that Council is seeking to encourage for the precinct. The desired outcomes focus on achieving mixed use development (especially residential, commercial and retail land uses) with high levels of urban amenity, active street life and reducing the dominance of motor vehicles.

ViaStrada has provided technical assistance to the Christchurch City Council with respect to its review of transport-related provisions in the Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula Proposed District Plans, in preparation for their combined review.

Top of the southOur Nelson office reports a slow pick up in the level of activity involving private developments in the top of the south. The Nelson office is currently working on a number of private projects in Blenheim, Nelson and Tasman with a number of potential development projects in the pipeline.

The Selwyn District Council (SDC) proposes to revise the District Plan's transport provisions to ensure they reflect the strategic direction of Council. Recent updates and amendments to national and regional policy documents will also be reviewed.

ViaStrada has been commissioned to review the Plan and prepare the resulting Plan Change.

Tony Quickfall's expertise in policy analysis complements the ViaStrada team. Significant policy projects led by Tony include:

- Nelson Urban Growth Strategy;
- Nelson Heritage Strategy;
- Nelson Regional Land Transport Strategy;
- Marlborough Regional Land Transport Strategy; and
- Marlborough Workers Accommodation Issues and Options Paper.

Tony Quickfall has developed a good understanding of iwi requirements in planning processes, having been involved in a number of development projects for Ngai Tahu in Christchurch (e.g the former army barracks redevelopment).  Tony’s consultation process with Iwi for the Kaikoura District Plan was promoted by iwi as best practice, and is noted on the Ministry for the Environment website as an example of best practice.

ViaStrada has assisted a number of clients in respect of their development contribution obligations. This has principally involved acting in a liaison role with Council officers responsible for administering / imposing development contributions and providing estimates to clients of the development contribution for a given project.