Consenting for an eco-retreat on the banks of the Omanawa River

Boffa Miskell was engaged to support the resource consent process to establish 15 eco-style visitor accommodation cabins on an 18-hectare native bush block, adjacent to the Omanawa River.

We were initially approached as part of the due diligence phase when the client was looking to purchase the property. We provided an initial planning assessment and identified the risks and opportunities associated with developing the site for visitor accommodation and other purposes.

Location

Bay of Plenty

Worked with

Harrison Transportation
MCC Dzyne
Terrane Consultants

Project date

2019

Following purchase, we prepared the resource consent application to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, including undertaking planning, landscape and ecological assessments, and assisting with engagement with Mana Whenua and other stakeholders, including neighbours and Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Given the predominant regenerating native bush setting, a landscape plan was integral to managing the potential landscape and visual effects. We then worked closely with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council to obtain resource consent, which was processed on a non-notified basis owing to the high level of engagement undertaken with relevant stakeholders.

The cabins are “off-grid”, using on-site sustainable power, water, and wastewater management solutions. The external design of the cabins uses natural palettes to minimise their physical and visual effects on the surrounding environment, including integration with additional landscape planting.

Preparation of resource consent. Planning, landscape and ecological assessments, mana whenua and stakeholder engagement

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