| 29 T T Lindy Andrews Unravelling the mysteries of subdivisions Lands and Survey specialises in surveying, civil engineering and planning. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Lands & Survey Over the past 20 years, Whangārei has become an increasingly desirable destination for visitors and new residents wanting a change and more leisurely lifestyle. Lands & Survey’s Guy McGregor and Kelly Ryan have seen the evolution of a city renowned for its landscapes, easy lifestyle, art and culture, and beaches. “When I first arrived 20 years ago, Northland as a whole wasn’t as vibrant as now,” says Guy, the company’s survey manager. “Today, it’s a much nicer place, with new subdivisions opening, the new bridge, the Hundertwasser Art Centre, and the walkway around Hatea.” Lands & Survey, which is privately owned, started life 50 years ago as Hodges and Elrick. The firm then purchased the Lands & Survey name from the now defunct Department of Lands and Survey. Specialising in surveying, civil engineering and planning, its experienced and knowledgeable staff have seen substantial land development and legislative changes. “Subdivisions are a lot denser now,” says Guy. “Twenty years ago, sections were typically larger, rather than urban sites now being smaller and denser. We are now seeing multi-units on those sites.” With increased housing density, changed legislation and standards, Lands & Survey ensures it works closely with required specialists. For example, ensuring a level building platform at time of subdivision may require earthwork modelling and retaining wall design. Planning manager Kelly has also experienced plenty of legislative change over her 20year career, particularly within the Resource Management Act. More recently, there has been a distinct move towards the introduction of National Planning Documents such as the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land. “Rural subdivision has – and will continue to become – more restrictive,” she says. “Larger lots will be anticipated, and in Kaipara the upcoming Proposed Plan will likely make rural subdivision more complex when it is notified in 2025.” Both Kelly and Guy agree that for most people subdivision is a mystery. However, the years of experience Lands & Survey has allows them to guide clients through the complexities. “Having gone through the process many times, we know how to identify, anticipate and avoid major hurdles to ensure our clients’ subdivisions have the best chance of success,” says Kelly. The team works collaboratively with clients on everything from two-lot subdivisions to larger developments. Budget planning, working to timelines, attention to detail and good old-fashioned hard work are central to delivering successful outcomes. New technologies including drones, LiDAR surveys, total robotic stations, photogrammetry and laser scanning have changed the way the team works. Lands & Survey has recently purchased a larger drone that enables them to use the heavier LiDAR sensors for accuracy over large areas that are difficult to access with traditional methods. This sort of information is invaluable in projects such as river and flood plain modelling, and ground instability monitoring. Highly accurate and fast surveys of recent landslides have enabled geotechnical engineers to move on to the repair design phase faster. The improvements in technologies have been a game changer for the survey industry over recent years. • Freshwater, Terrestrial and Marine Ecological Experts • Ecological Evaluations and Solutions • Ecological Survey & Monitoring • Fauna Restoration Management Plans and Salvage ecology@wildlands.co.nz Call free: 0508 945 369 Manufacturer and supplier of Survey supplies to customers through New Zealand including Lands & Survey 0800 87 347 Craig & Jude Thompson www.surveysupplies.co.nz sales@surveysupplies.co.nz www.scopeprojectsnz.com Scope is proud to support Lands & Survey
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