| 33 T T Kim Newth A coordinated approach to Taranaki growth Taylor Patrick is now well-established as a leading choice for land development, environmental and infrastructure projects in Taranaki. Taranaki: Taylor Patrick Surveying REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT GEOTECHNICAL | ENVIRONMENTAL | OBSERVATION hdgeo.co.nz Smart thinking for projects, safe ground for people Taranaki’s export-based economy has long made it an attractive place to live, with the New Plymouth district fast growing. By 2031, the district’s population is expected to reach 94,000. Playing a key role in local land development, environmental monitoring and infrastructure is New Plymouth-based Taylor Patrick Surveyors. Company founder Stefan Kiss, who has major project experience in New Zealand and the UK, looked at multiple locations around the North Island before settling on New Plymouth as the ideal place to launch his surveying practice. That was in 2007, with Taylor Patrick now well-established as a leading choice for land development, environmental and infrastructure projects in the region. Taylor Patrick has delivered professional services to a number of large local projects such as The Links and Parklands in New Plymouth and Longview in Hawera. Since Taylor Patrick was founded, there have been massive leaps in technology, with the survey team using the latest robotic, GPS and drone technology to provide high quality analysis, 3D models and reporting. A continued focus on mentoring, training and development ensures the whole Taylor Patrick team is well-equipped for projects of every scale. With developments growing in complexity, Stefan observes that his nine-strong team often take on the role of project coordinators and project managers, liaising with a wide group of specialist consultants. Taylor Patrick also works in consultation with the New Plymouth, Stratford and South Taranaki district councils, as well as the Taranaki Regional Council and local iwi. “In general, there is more focus in district planning on natural values and cultural values and as a result we’re seeing larger roles for people who are ecologists or landscape architects to be part of our project teams,” says Stefan. “With rural subdivisions, you certainly need to be thinking more widely than just the individual lot being created.” As the local district grows and more housing is needed, so too is long term planning shifting towards a greater reliance on infill development in urban areas. Stefan says it is a more balanced approach yet one that brings challenges for development compared to greenfield sites, such as how to accommodate stormwater and parking and impacts around streetscape and shading of neighbouring properties. Taylor Patrick offers considerable expertise when it comes to covering the environmental aspects of any project, including coastal erosion monitoring, waterbodies, earthworks consents and landslide monitoring. The team works respectfully alongside local communities and iwi. Taylor Patrick is increasingly mindful of climate change and the need for stormwater systems to be well-planned and designed for increasingly frequent big rainfall events. “We are also seeing a lot of requirements for hazard risk assessments for any new development.” With new legislation having passed this year to replace the Resource Management Act, Stefan observes there is considerable uncertainty around the new regulations as well as what may be repealed by the incoming government. “Having your ear to the ground on regulatory matters is going to be very important as change is coming quite quickly and business as usual is out the door.” “With rural subdivisions, you certainly need to be thinking more widely than just the individual lot being created.”
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