Notable award for Technical Documentation needed for residential intensification
A suite of documents worked on by both Isthmus Group and Boffa Miskell related to residential intensification within Tauranga City has won an RMLA Technical Documentation award for its “technical innovation, collaboration and excellence”.
The award was presented in late-September at the Association for Resource Management Practitioners (RMLA) conference - Interwoven Futures - held in Ngāmotu New Plymouth.
Brad Coombs (Isthmus), Rachel Boyte (Bay of Plenty Regional Council), Simon Button (Isthmus) and Sean Grace (Boffa Miskell) collecting the Technical Documentation Award at the 2024 RMLA conference.
The winning Technical Documentation addressed the assessment of the landscape environmental constraints to residential intensification under Plan Change 33, Landscape Qualifying Matters Assessments (Bay of Plenty).
The PC33 Landscape Qualifying Matters assessments are split across three technical documents. The approaches to the technical documents varied depending on the scale and complexity of the landscape values to be considered. At Mount Maunganui North, an innovative approach which included parametric 3D design and modelling was used to map and assess landscape values. Alternatively, the broader city wide assessment applied a more iterative and collaborative approach, with parties working together, testing scenarios, identifying methods to manage effects, and jointly developing policy responses.
The clear and open communication apparent in the way of working between all contributors to the documentation, including Tauranga City Council and Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council was noted and recognised. See below for supporting links to further information.
Under RLMA criteria examples of technical documentation that meet the scope of the award include, but aren’t limited to, district and regional plans, iwi management plans, technical guidance, methods and standards, plain English guidance to assist interpretation, environmental management tools, Strategy documents and Assessments of Effects on the Environment (AEE).
ADDITIONAL AWARDS
Other awards presented at the Interwoven Futures event included a Publications Award to Raewyn Peart for her work as Policy Director with the Environmental Defence Society (EDS) on publication of a report titled Design recommendations for a Climate Adaptation Act.
In 2019 Raewyn was made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to environmental and conservation policy, and this year the 384-page book she has authored on the history of EDS – Environmental Defenders – Fighting for our natural world – was published by Bateman Books. The foreword to the book is written by former chief justice Dame Sian Elias.
Boffa Miskell picked up a Project Award for its work with Invercargill City Council on the Sandy Point Domain Masterplan. The Domain is a short distance from central Invercargill, and at over 2000 hectares is a key part of the city's network of parks and reserves.
Harrison Grierson, Monocle and Chancery Green also won a Project Award for work on Titanium Park Northern Precinct Private Plan Change 20 (Waikato) for demonstrating excellence in planning for the delivery of strategic urban growth while also achieving biodiversity outcomes.
Rounding out a memorable night for Boffa Miskell its project work with the Ministry for the Environment | Manatū Mō Te Taiao on the Waikawa Integrated Catchment Management Plan (ICMP) was Highly Commended for its “innovative creation of an interactive environmental management tool that articulates the community’s aspirations for the river catchment”.
RMLA-NZ has more than 900 members from various disciplines. Its purpose is to champion excellence in resource management law, policy, and practice through the promotion of best practice in the creation and implementation of environmental policy and law. It publishes insights into resource management and environmental law issues in its Resource Management Journal three times a year.
The next RMLA conference will take place in Blenheim from 11-12 September 2025.
Further information related to the mahi for PC33: Enabling Housing Supply can be viewed on a number of websites including:
Residential Intensification Tauranga PC33 (Isthmus Group)
Plan Change 33 key documents / Pukapuka matua panonitanga mahere 33 (Tauranga City Council)