Landscape, natural character and visual assessments are required for a wide range of Resource Consent applications. Mansergh Graham has extensive experience in the assessment of these, using analysis methods consistent with the recommendations contained in the Te Tangi a te Manu – Aotearoa New Zealand Landscape Assessment Guidelines, the requirements of the Resource Management Act framework, and relevant regional and district plan provisions.
Our experience includes the preparation of landscape, natural character and visual assessment reports for:
- Electrical generation and infrastructure projects, including solar farms, wind farms, hydropower stations, gas turbine developments and transmission lines.
- Marine farms and other coastal structures, including mussel farms, spat farms, oyster farms, wharves and jetties, marinas, container terminals and coastal reclamations.
- Industrial and commercial developments, including warehouses, malls, dairy factories, wastewater treatment plants, transport hubs and inland ports.
- Subdivision and development, including rural residential subdivisions, urban development, lot layout, building platforms, accessways, ridgelines and skylines, and integration with rural and coastal character.
- Roading and transport infrastructure, including corridor alignment, cut and fill, structures and noise walls, and their integration into the receiving landscape.
- Mines, quarries and cleanfill operations, including sand quarries, hard rock quarries and gold mines, addressing landform modification, visual catchments, bunding, rehabilitation, staging and long-term landscape outcomes.
- Ski field and alpine recreation developments, including access roads, lifts, buildings and car parking facilities within sensitive alpine and subalpine landscapes.
- Tourism, recreation and visitor accommodation developments, ensuring that buildings, activities and associated infrastructure respond appropriately to high-value landscapes and natural character settings.
- Hearings, including preparation of expert evidence for presentation at consent and Environment Court hearings.