Our people have been involved in public land matters for over a decade in property roles and consultancy for the Councils around the country. We are well-versed in all manner of public land administrative functions including acquisition and disposal of land under the Public Works Act 1981, preparation and publication of gazette notices and roading actions under the Local Government Act.
Public Works Acquisition
We have led the land purchase programme for the largest infrastructure project in the top of the South Island. This project involves over 10 kilometres of environmental stormwater drainage channels providing flood protection for the town of Richmond.
Public Works Acquisition
We secured a key site for construction of new water reservoirs for the Tasman District Council whilst providing a positive outcome for a landowner who wished to retain part of the land which had future development potential.
Legalisation Actions
We are able to instruct surveyors to prepare the relevant plans to support legalisation actions to be submitted to the Minister for Land Information for authorisation and arrange publication in the New Zealand Gazette.
Open Market Land Purchase
We assisted a local authority to secure a strategically located parcel of land critical to the delivery of three separate infrastructure projects, formulating a strategy that resulted in a positive outcome for both the landowner and the community.
Public Land Ownership
We provide land status reports to clarify issues of unclear ownership, particularly in relation to whether land is owned by local authorities or the Crown. This will involve examination of historic titles (if available), gazette notices, survey plans and historic legislation which has impacted ownership of land.
Public Works Act 1981 and Local Government Act 1974
We have been involved with road stopping processes under both the Public Works Act 1981 and the Local Government Act in situations where it is no longer appropriate for land to be classified as road. We can manage these processes end to end.
Public Works Act 1981
We provide support to acquiring authorities to optimise land acquisition and disposal strategies, including looking into the finer details relevant to route selection, including compensation considerations. We look at use of all the tools available in the Public Works Act 1981 with the aim of achieving the best outcome for our clients.
Resource Management Act
We have provided advice on process for the designation of land for public works purposes in district plans for both local authorities and the Ministry of Education.