OUR SERVICES
Strategic Planning & Resource Management
We provide high-level resource consent strategy for developers, commercial operators, and private landowners. We do not just process applications; we coordinate the entire project team to deliver a "Yes" from Council. We provide high-level resource consent strategy for developers, commercial operators, and private landowners. We do not just process applications; we coordinate the entire project team to deliver a "Yes" from Council.
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC SUBDIVISION (GREENFIELD AND INFILL)
We manage the full subdivision process, from 2-lot urban infill to 100+ lot master-planned estates. We coordinate surveyors and civil engineers to ensure your staging strategy maximizes cash flow and minimizes infrastructure costs.
HIGH-DENSITY & MULTI-UNIT HOUSING
Expert planning for apartments, terrace housing, and comprehensive residential developments. We navigate complex intensification rules, including acoustic design and traffic management, to maximize yield on constrained sites.
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL
INDUSTRIAL AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Specialist consenting for high-risk industrial sites. We manage the technical requirements for hazardous substance storage, trade waste, and NES (Soil Contamination) compliance, ensuring your operation meets all environmental standards.
COMMERCIAL PRECINCTS & SENSITIVE ACTIVITIES
Securing approvals for commercial hubs, childcare centres, and medical precincts—often in complex or "Non-Complying" zones. We manage the reverse sensitivity effects (noise, traffic) to allow your business to operate without restriction.
STRATEGIC & PROBLEM SOLVING
NON-COMPLYING & NOTIFIED APPLICATIONS
When a project breaks the rules, standard planning isn't enough. We specialise in "Non-Complying Activity" applications, using rigorous legal and environmental arguments to avoid public notification and secure approval for difficult sites.
PROJECT TEAM COORDINATION
We act as your Lead Consultant, assembling and managing the necessary team of experts (Geotechnical, Traffic, Acoustic, and Civil Engineers). We provide a single point of contact, ensuring all technical reports align with the planning strategy to prevent Council delays.
Common Planning Questions
What is the difference between a Resource Consent and a Building Consent?
A Resource Consent (from the Council planners) is about what you can do—focusing on how your project affects the environment and neighbors (e.g., height, boundary proximity, land use). A Building Consent is about how you build it—focusing on structural safety and the building code. You often need both. We specialize in the Resource Consent side.
How long does a Resource Consent take in 2026?
Technically, the Council has 20 working days to process a non-notified application. However, during the current transition from the RMA to the new NBA legislation, complex applications can take longer. We strongly advise filing "decision-ready" applications with all environmental data upfront to avoid delays.
My neighbor won't give written approval. Can I still subdivide?
Yes, it is often possible. If a neighbor refuses approval, we can apply for a Limited Notified consent. This involves a hearing where we present evidence that the adverse effects on them are "minor" or can be mitigated. We manage this negotiation and hearing process for you.
Do I really need a planner, or can my architect do it?
Architects design beautiful buildings; Planners navigate the legal rules to get them approved. For simple projects, an architect may suffice. But for subdivisions, non-compliant designs, or multi-unit developments, a specialist Planner is essential to frame your application correctly and prevent Council rejection.
Does the Council deposit fee cover the whole cost?
No. The Council deposit (often $1,500 - $4,000) is just an initial payment. They charge the rest on an hourly basis ("actual and reasonable costs") once the work is done. We can give you a realistic estimate of the total likely cost during our initial consultation.
"In large firms, you pay Director rates but often get a junior planner learning the ropes. My promise is different: When you engage Bilimoria Consulting, you get 35 years of Council authority managing your project—from the first strategy meeting to the final signature."
GULAB BILIMORIA | PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT