4 Dec 2024
When CKL’s Principal Planner, Sarah Robson, secured resource consent for a 13-unit development in just four business days, it marked a significant milestone for CKL, the Far North District Council, and our client, Gemscott. This rapid turnaround—nearly unprecedented in New Zealand’s planning landscape—demonstrates the power of a collaborative, open-minded approach and innovative thinking, paving the way for more efficient resource consent processes in the region.
The project, a community-focused housing development by Gemscott in Kaikohe, was a chance for CKL to support much-needed growth and sustainable housing in the Far North. With a vision to contribute positively to the community, CKL approached the project with a commitment to efficiency, while respecting the local planning framework. The success of this project hinged on a perfect blend of a proactive client, a skilled consulting team, and a council eager to trial a new, streamlined consent process.
Resource consent processes are often complex and lengthy, with timelines that often extend well beyond the legislated 20 business days with requests for information and extensions of time. For this project, however, Nick Williamson, Team Leader of Resource Consents at the Far North District Council, introduced an innovative method that front-loaded much of the work and streamlined decision-making.
Nick’s approach involved early engagement and frequent check-ins with CKL and the project team. By fostering clear communication from the outset and agreeing on project parameters well before the formal application was submitted, the council was able to significantly reduce review time. CKL welcomed this opportunity, aligning with Nick’s methodology and providing detailed, upfront documentation that helped ensure a smooth and swift process.
A key component of the expedited process was the council’s use of AI technology. Nick Williamson leveraged an AI tool to assist in the assessment of the consent application. This use of AI was instrumental in reviewing key aspects of the proposal quickly, enabling the council to focus on areas of potential risk and compliance while streamlining the overall assessment process.
The AI tool did not replace human expertise but augmented it, allowing the council’s planners to prioritise high-value tasks and minimise delays. This innovative use of technology helped transform what could have been a month-long process into just four business days, without compromising the quality of the review.
The success of this project was rooted in strong collaboration between CKL, Gemscott, and the Far North District Council. CKL’s openness to working within Nick’s innovative framework played a crucial role in achieving the remarkable four-day consent turnaround. By engaging early and maintaining clear, transparent communication throughout the process, all parties were able to stay aligned, address challenges proactively, and deliver an exceptional outcome for the client.
This project goes beyond a successful consent approval; it serves as a model for how resource consent can be handled more efficiently in New Zealand. It highlights the importance of collaboration, a willingness to embrace new processes, and the role technology can play in streamlining complex regulatory tasks.
For CKL, we are proud to have been part of a project that will deliver much-needed housing to the Far North and set a new benchmark for what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation.
Revolutionising Resource Consent in the Far North
When CKL’s Principal Planner, Sarah Robson, secured resource consent for a 13-unit development in just four business days, it marked a significant milestone for CKL, the Far North District Council, and our client, Gemscott. This rapid turnaround—nearly unprecedented in New Zealand’s planning landscape—demonstrates the power of a collaborative, open-minded approach and innovative thinking, paving the way for more efficient resource consent processes in the region.
The project, a community-focused housing development by Gemscott in Kaikohe, was a chance for CKL to support much-needed growth and sustainable housing in the Far North. With a vision to contribute positively to the community, CKL approached the project with a commitment to efficiency, while respecting the local planning framework. The success of this project hinged on a perfect blend of a proactive client, a skilled consulting team, and a council eager to trial a new, streamlined consent process.
A New Approach to Resource Consent
Resource consent processes are often complex and lengthy, with timelines that often extend well beyond the legislated 20 business days with requests for information and extensions of time. For this project, however, Nick Williamson, Team Leader of Resource Consents at the Far North District Council, introduced an innovative method that front-loaded much of the work and streamlined decision-making.
Nick’s approach involved early engagement and frequent check-ins with CKL and the project team. By fostering clear communication from the outset and agreeing on project parameters well before the formal application was submitted, the council was able to significantly reduce review time. CKL welcomed this opportunity, aligning with Nick’s methodology and providing detailed, upfront documentation that helped ensure a smooth and swift process.
Harnessing AI for Efficient Decision-Making
A key component of the expedited process was the council’s use of AI technology. Nick Williamson leveraged an AI tool to assist in the assessment of the consent application. This use of AI was instrumental in reviewing key aspects of the proposal quickly, enabling the council to focus on areas of potential risk and compliance while streamlining the overall assessment process.
The AI tool did not replace human expertise but augmented it, allowing the council’s planners to prioritise high-value tasks and minimise delays. This innovative use of technology helped transform what could have been a month-long process into just four business days, without compromising the quality of the review.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Openness
The success of this project was rooted in strong collaboration between CKL, Gemscott, and the Far North District Council. CKL’s openness to working within Nick’s innovative framework played a crucial role in achieving the remarkable four-day consent turnaround. By engaging early and maintaining clear, transparent communication throughout the process, all parties were able to stay aligned, address challenges proactively, and deliver an exceptional outcome for the client.
Setting a New Standard for Efficiency
This project goes beyond a successful consent approval; it serves as a model for how resource consent can be handled more efficiently in New Zealand. It highlights the importance of collaboration, a willingness to embrace new processes, and the role technology can play in streamlining complex regulatory tasks.
For CKL, we are proud to have been part of a project that will deliver much-needed housing to the Far North and set a new benchmark for what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation.
