Lucy de Latour

LLB (Hons), BSc, Partner

Lucy leads the firm's Resource Management and Environmental Law Team. She specialises in resource management, environmental and local government law and she has a broad range of experience within her field of expertise.

Since joining Wynn Williams in 2013, her work has primarily been in relation to issues associated with freshwater management, the Canterbury rebuild and various retail and industrial developments. Prior to joining Wynn Williams, her experience encompassed work within energy (hydro-electricity generation), retail, and infrastructure sectors (rail, wastewater, ports and airports).  

She has detailed knowledge of district and regional plan formation and plan change processes, resource consent applications, resource management related law reform and local government and public works legislation. 

Lucy also recently spent over a year on secondment at a major local government client, giving her a unique perspective on legal issues facing local government.  This has included advising on matters under the Local Government Act 2002, the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, the Biosecurity Act 1993, the Land Transport Management Act 2003 and the Maritime Transport Act 1994.

Prior to joining Wynn Williams, Lucy worked in the planning team of a large London firm. She also spent four years within the Resource Management and Environmental team of another New Zealand law firm.

Lucy is recommended and recognised as an 'Up and Coming Lawyer' by the Chambers Asia-Pacific 2021 and Chambers Global 2021 legal guides.  She is described as being "very pragmatic, she's able to react and respond very quickly, and she understands the technical side."     

Lucy is also recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020 where a client commented that “The team as a whole is exceedingly competent.  Philip Maw and Lucy de Latour are unflappable and provide calm, measured advice.  They are always available to us and respond well even under tight timeframes.” 

In the 2021 Doyles Guide Lucy is listed as a recommended lawyer in Environment and Resource Management law. 
 
"I enjoy the diversity of working as a resource management and environment lawyer - from providing strategic legal advice to clients, advising on resource consent applications and plan changes, considering development potential on new sites, through to working alongside clients and their technical advisors on proceedings before the Environment Court."

Recent Projects

  • Advising Environment Canterbury on a range of issues associated with the implementation of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy, the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, and the development of new regional planning documents to manage water quantity and water quality in Canterbury. This has included providing advice and appearing in the High Court in relation to appeals on various decisions made by Environment Canterbury to give effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

  • Advising Environment Southland on a range of legal issues associated with discharge consents, including in relation to its obligations under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

  • Providing advice on a range of local government related legislation, including under the Local Government Act 2002, the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, the Biosecurity Act 1993, the Land Transport Management Act 2003 and the Maritime Transport Act 1994 while on secondment for a local government client.

  • Appearing in the Environment Court as leading counsel on an appeal relating to a water take from the Hakataramea River.

  • Providing advice and appearing at a Council hearing for a mall owner in relation to proposed additional retail development in the Tasman District.

  • Acting for the Church Property Trustees (as junior counsel) in relation to its submissions on the proposed Christchurch Replacement District Plan in relation to the ChristChurch Cathedral.

  • Providing advice on the implications of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 and the recovery plans developed under that Act.

  • Obtaining resource consents and negotiating development contributions payable for a large commercial development in the Selwyn District.

  • Acting for several clients making submissions on the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan including appearing at the hearings in order to obtain a rezoning to the Heavy Industry zone of three significant industrial sites.

  • Acting for an industrial client in negotiating and drafting a "no complaints" covenant to protect against reverse sensitivity effects.

  • While at another firm: Acted for a major supermarket company in the United Kingdom to obtain planning permission for several new supermarket sites.

  • While at another firm: Acted as instructing solicitor for a major charitable foundation in the United Kingdom to successfully obtain planning permission for a new residential student accomodation scheme in London.

  • While at another firm: Acted (as junior counsel) for a hydro-electricity generator in successfully obtaining resource consents for a major hydroelectricity scheme.

  • While at another firm: Acted for a submitter in respect of NZTA's Waterview project, one of the first and most significant projects to be heard by a Board of Inquiry under the new RMA procedures.

  • While at another firm: Provided advice and drafted submissions for a number of clients on legislative and national policy changes, including in respect of the 2009 resource management reforms, the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011, and the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010.
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Recent Articles

20/07/2021

Natural and Build Environments Act: a closer look at environmental limits

Section 7 of the NBA introduces the concept of “environmental limits” in relation to the natural environment. The purpose of the limits is to protect the ecological integrity of the natural environment and/or human health.

Keep reading...



2/11/2020

Guidance for RMA decision makers on conflicting iwi interests

The recent High Court decision, Ngata Maru Trust v Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whaia Maia Limited [2020] NZHC 2768, provides guidance to decision makers presented with conflicting iwi claims on proposals for resource consent. We set out the key takeaways decision makers should keep in mind.

Keep reading...



6/09/2019

Fresh plans for freshwater – Government proposes reform

Freshwater management has been a long-standing political hot potato. Regional councils around the country have been busy ensuring they fulfil their functions in relation to water quality and water quantity, and implementing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) (in its various forms) since its introduction in 2011. On 5 September 2019, the Government released its “Action for Healthy Waterways” discussion document for consultation.

Keep reading...



8/06/2018

Rating powers of local authorities

The Court of Appeal recently issued its judgment in Northland Regional Council v Kaipara District Council [2018] NZCA 63, being the latest development in a longstanding argument regarding the validity of rates set by the Northland Regional Council.

Keep reading...



8/06/2018

Draft National Planning Standards – painting by numbers, or draconian straitjacket?

The Ministry for the Environment has released the first set of Draft National Planning Standards for public consultation. It is expected that further standards will be developed over time. The stated intention is that national planning standards will make plans easier to use and prepare under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Keep reading...



11/04/2018

Legislative update: restoring the "four aspects of well-being"

The Government has introduced two new Bills which are due to have their First Reading next week: the Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill, and the Local Electoral Matters Bill.

Keep reading...



12/12/2017

Water, water everywhere - but not a drop to drink

Following the August 2016 outbreak of campylobacteriosis in Havelock North, the Government established an inquiry to investigate and report on the outbreak. The Stage One Report was released on 8 May 2017 and identified what happened, the cause of the outbreak and provided an assessment of the people and agencies responsible for providing safe drinking water to Havelock North.

Keep reading...



14/08/2017

Amendments to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014

The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 provides national direction for the management of freshwater under the Resource Management Act 1991. On 7 August 2017, the Government announced amendments to the NPSFM which will come into force on 7 September 2017.

Keep reading...



6/04/2017

The future of the Resource Management Act – is the current Resource Legislation Amendment Bill the final amendment?

The Resource Legislation Amendment Bill is currently progressing through Parliament whilst Government is undertaking other pieces of significant work in relation to the New Zealand planning system, which brings into question the fate of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Keep reading...



23/02/2017

Changes to freshwater management

Today the Government announced a suite of further freshwater management reforms. The headline change is a new target that 90 per cent of New Zealand's lakes and rivers meet swimmable water quality standards by 2040.

Keep reading...



2/12/2016

Scope widened on National Environmental Standards for Telecommunication Facilities

The Government has recently responded to an evolving telecommunications landscape as it continues to roll out additional national planning direction in the form of national policy statements (NPSs) and national environmental standards (NESs). On 1 January 2017, the National Environmental Standards for Telecommunication Facilities 2016 (NESTF 2016) will replace the National Environmental Standards for Telecommunication Facilities 2008 (NESTF 2008).

Keep reading...



5/09/2014

Simplifying and Streamlining in the information age - are we focusing on the right things?

The following article appeared in the August 2014 edition of the Resource Management Journal (August 2014 RMJ) The Resource Management Act 1991 (the RMA) relies on public participation to inform council plan- making, principally in the form of consultation under clause 3 of Schedule 1, the submission and further submission processes, and through appeals to the Environment Court. District and regional plans are documents that people “order their lives by” and so it is of paramount importance that the public are given the opportunity to be involved in the processes to establish those plans.

Keep reading...



11/11/2013

RM Reform Update - November 2013

Reform in the resource management field continues with the announcement on 7 November 2013 of proposed changes to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2011 ("NPS"). This RMA reform update relates to the proposed amendments to the NPS; along with an update on the Resource Management Amendment Act 2013 (and changes to section 32 which come into force in December); and the further RMA reform signalled by the Government.

Keep reading...



11/11/2013

AEE's and the need to get it right - watch this space

The litigation regarding noise associated with New Zealand Windfarms Limited's Te Rere Hau wind farm continues, with leave granted by the High Court for Palmerston North City Council to appeal to the Court of Appeal (Palmerston North City Council v New Zealand Windfarms Limited [2013] NZHC 2654, 11 October 2013 Williams J.).

Keep reading...

Reported Decisions

  • Infinity Investment Group Holdings Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2017] NZEnvC 35, [2017] NZEnvC 36, [2017] NZRMA 479

  • Rangitata Diversion Race Management Ltd v Genesis Energy Ltd [2015] NZRMA 467

  • Bayswater Marina Holdings Ltd v North Shore City Council [2009] NZRMA 444
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Memberships

  • Canterbury Women's Legal Association

  • Resource Management Law Association

  • Property Council of New Zealand
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Speaking Engagements

  • "Changing Landscapes - Rural Law in Action" - NZLS Conference September 2017
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Publications

  • 'Simplifying and Streamlining in the information age - are we focusing on the right things?' Lucy de Latour, Resource Management Journal, August 2014

  • 'Who is to judge the Judges' Bal Matheson and Lucy de Latour, Resource Management Journal April 2011
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