A 41-lot subdivision on 43.57 Ha in Marton, with two problems that had to be solved before anything else could happen.
First, a specialist ecological report classified a pond on the site as a natural wetland. Under NPS-FW 2020, that classification would have triggered mandatory setbacks that would block a large part of the development.
Second, the site had significant stormwater and flooding issues from Folly Stream, an existing wastewater trunk main running through the middle of the site that needed realigning, and consent was required from two separate councils.
We sourced historical aerial photographs from 1942, 1949, and 1982. None of them showed a pond or wetland on the site - it only appeared after 1982. We compiled a written rebuttal with the photographic evidence and submitted it to both Rangitikei District Council and Horizons Regional Council. Both councils accepted the rebuttal, and the wetland setback was not applied.
For stormwater, we designed a 500 m³ detention swale to manage the increased runoff from the development. The existing wastewater trunk main was realigned through the site with new easements. Full three waters infrastructure, roading, and earthworks were designed to NZS 4404:2010.
This was a full-scope civil engineering project - earthworks, roading, stormwater network, stormwater neutrality, flood management, wastewater (including trunk main realignment), and water supply. All designed in Civil 3D for GPS-controlled construction.
Resource consent was obtained from both councils. The wetland classification was overturned, the stormwater design was accepted, and the 41-lot subdivision proceeded on its original footprint. The project is ongoing with construction underway.
