Council service helps developers with approvals process

Christchurch City Council is launching a service to help guide developers through all aspects of approvals required for their projects.

"As its name suggests, Partnership Approvals is a collaborative approach in which the Council works proactively on projects to identify and resolve issues," says Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

"This is the can-do attitude that Chief Executive Karleen Edwards has committed to bring to the organisation. Partnership Approvals will make a real difference to ensuring that we are doing our bit to facilitate the rebuild," Mayor Dalziel says.

Dr Edwards says the Partnership Approvals service will be available from 1 July 2015. It is primarily focussed on the central city to support development there but significant projects outside that area can also be supported.

"While Rebuild Central offers support in the early phases of a development, we are still hearing that people struggle to understand the different departments and agencies they need to deal with for project approvals. Partnership Approvals addresses that."

"It does not guarantee applicants their approvals, rather it builds on what is already available by providing a single point of contact for project approvals from the initial concept stage right through to opening," Dr Edwards says.

A pilot run by the Council's commercial consents unit has shown that customers value the service provided.

Craig Newbury and Miles Yeoman from Canterbury Property Investments say they found the case management process to be smoother with fewer headaches.

"It creates more certainty around timeframes because you're not dealing with as many issues," says Craig Newbury.

"We have several projects on the go at any point and our case manager knows who to pull together at different stages. Having a single point of contact means we have someone guiding us about what needs to be done ahead of time. We are able to focus on our core tasks, there is no time-wasting as projects work through compliance.

"One of the keys to this is accessibility. When you have a problem, you know who to go to and can generally get hold of them and they know the steps towards resolving the issue."

Dr Edwards says once customers have done feasibility work — this could include seeking advice at Rebuild Central — and developed initial concept designs, a decision can be made on whether the project is suitable for Partnership Approvals.

"Generally this approach is for projects that are high profile, either in terms of the site or the proposed development, have a high dollar value, contribute significantly to the local economy, are highly complex or are by customers with multiple projects."

A Council case manager will help with all areas where approvals are needed, including:
· Land issues (including ECAN approvals) and if the planned activity is allowed in that area
· Access to services such as water, waste water and so on
· The design, including accessibility, fire and other technical aspects
· Licensing and final approvals

Dr Edwards says a fees structure for the service is being finalised but the benefits will far exceed the small cost.

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