35 Years Inside Council. Now Working for You.
We don't guess what council planners want to see. We know, because we used to be the ones making the decisions.
The Council Insider
Bilimoria Consulting is a specialist town planning practice based in Hamilton, led by Gulab Bilimoria. We handle resource consents, subdivisions, and planning advice across the Waikato and beyond.
Gulab Bilimoria spent more than three decades inside local government. Not as a consultant occasionally dealing with council. Inside. Running teams, reviewing applications, and shaping the rules that every developer in the Waikato now has to follow.
During his council career, Gulab managed resource consent processing teams, oversaw compliance monitoring, and was directly involved in District Plan development. He reviewed thousands of applications across every conceivable project type. He knows what makes a strong application and what triggers requests for further information, because he was the one making those calls.
When you work with Bilimoria Consulting, you're not hiring someone who learned planning from textbooks. You're hiring someone who spent 21 years building the system from the inside.
Career Timeline
University of Otago
Completed a Diploma in Land Surveying at the University of Otago, establishing the technical foundation for a career in planning and resource management.
Fulbright-Humphrey Fellow
Awarded a Fulbright-Humphrey Fellowship to study planning at Hunter College, City University of New York. One of a select group of international professionals chosen for the programme.
Hamilton City Council - Planning Guidance Manager
21 years inside Hamilton City Council, rising to Planning Guidance Manager. Oversaw consent processing, led District Plan implementation during a period of unprecedented urban expansion, and achieved ISO accreditation for the Planning Guidance Unit. Awarded the NZPI Distinguished Service Award in 2009.
Bilimoria Consulting Founded
After 21 years on the council side of the counter, Gulab launched Bilimoria Consulting to bring that insider expertise directly to property owners, developers, and architects.
Multi-Council Practice
Now operating across 12+ council districts from Hamilton to Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, and beyond. Handling everything from ancillary dwellings and subdivisions to large-scale commercial developments and heritage projects.
Credentials & Qualifications
New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI)
Full Member
Resource Management Law Association (RMLA)
Member
Fulbright-Humphrey Fellow
Hunter College, City University of New York (1984-1985)
Diploma in Land Surveying
University of Otago (1970-1973)
NZPI Distinguished Service Award
Awarded 2009 for contribution to planning in New Zealand
Our Approach
We Get to the Point
No 40-page reports full of padding. Our applications contain exactly what council needs to make a decision, presented clearly and completely.
We Know the People
After two decades inside council, Gulab has professional relationships across council departments throughout the Waikato.
We Fix Problems Before Council Finds Them
Most planning consultants react to council feedback. We anticipate it.
Transparent Pricing
We believe you should know what your consent will cost before we start. We assess your project and provide a clear quote upfront - no surprises.
Meet the Team
Gulab Bilimoria
Founder & Principal Consultant
21 years inside Hamilton City Council, 14+ years in private practice. Fulbright Scholar. NZPI and RMLA member. The council insider who now works for property owners.
Pranil Bilimoria
Strategy & Growth
Drives business strategy, client acquisition, and digital operations. Ensures every project runs on time and every client knows exactly where things stand.
Jarvinder Bilimoria
Operations Associate
Handles research, document preparation, project coordination, and client communications. Keeps the machine running so Gulab can focus on planning.
Ready to get your consent approved?
Talk to the planning team with over 20 years inside council.