Our Local Government team has the experience and specialist knowledge to deliver targeted and timely advice on all council-related matters.
Local government law requires an understanding of the rules of natural justice, and expertise working within the relevant legislation.
Wynn Williams has a thorough understanding of how Councils work, and we’re able to tailor our advice to meet the competing obligations on Councils. Our well-honed negotiation and persuasion skills are frequently used.
Wynn Williams has been the lead provider of legal services to Environment Canterbury since its inception in 1989; and we regularly provide advice to a range of other district and regional councils. We also advise corporate clients, developers and other private clients on local government-related matters.
Where a cross-disciplinary approach is required, these clients also have access to our specialist teams in Resource Management, Property, Commercial, Employment and Litigation.
- Successful prosecutions for Canterbury Regional Council arising from collapse of Opuha Dam in South Canterbury, and a serious high-country fire.
- Providing advice on, and securing, the ability to carry out work related to the demolition of buildings following the Canterbury earthquakes, and associated negotiations with various authorities.
- Advising a local authority on consultation and other local government requirements for inclusion, at short notice, of remedial works in its Annual Plan and liaison with Office of the Auditor-General.
- Obtaining consents for mineral extraction, quarrying and clean-filling activities at various locations in the South Island; and advising on ongoing resource management issues.
- Submissions and representation on District Plan review, including the proposed Ashburton District Plan.
- Commissioner appointed by local authority to make notification, and substantive, decision on 60 lot subdivision.
- Successful opposition to a resource consent application for a National Conservatorium of Music at the Arts Centre.
- A successful resource consent application to build and operate a café in the Living 1 zone in Christchurch.
- A successful Resource Consent application for the discharge of 1080 and pindone in the Canterbury Region.
- Advice on the implications of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 and Recovery Plans developed under that Act.
- Acting for Canterbury Regional Council in appeals on the air quality chapter of the Natural Resources Regional Plan and subsequent variations which included the introduction of rules placing restrictions on domestic burning in Christchurch.
- Acting for Canterbury Regional Council in a large number of plan changes and variations to district plans in the Greater Christchurch area. These have included various residential and rural residential subdivisions and development, the development of a new Styx town centre at Belfast, the development of a golf resort in the lower Styx area and a proposal by AMI to have its headquarters at Clearwater.
- Acting for Canterbury Regional Council in appeals on Proposed Change No. 1 to the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement ("Change 1") in collaboration with Christchurch City Council, Waimakariri District Council, Selwyn District Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency. Change 1 provides direction for the growth, development and enhancement of the urban and rural areas of Greater Christchurch.
- Counsel for Christchurch City Council in complex civil litigation over alleged land transfer fraud.
- Change 1 to Canterbury Regional Policy Statement - Implementing the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy including Urban Limits for growth across three districts.
- Canterbury Natural Resources Regional Plan - management of water quantity, water quality, air quality, wetlands, soil conservation, and beds and margins of lakes and rivers throughout Canterbury Region.
- Appeals on Canterbury Air Quality Plan.
- Resource consent appeals on irrigation schemes and hydrogeneration.
- Resource consent appeals on marine farming applications.
- Plan change appeals on coastal protection zones.
- Plan change appeals on rezoning rural land to provide for Pegasus Bay township.
- Resource consent appeals on Kate Valley Landfill.
- Resource consent appeals on Mt Cass Windfarm.
- Resource consent appeals on a cellphone tower applications.
- Resource consent appeals on port company operations.
- Plan change and resource consent appeals involving airport noise issues.
- Plan change appeals on rezoning land from rural to residential and rural/residential.
- Resource consent appeals on subdivision of land.
- Resource consent appeals involving heritage buildings, including the Christchurch Arts Centre.