Wellington

ROBERT SCHOFIELD

Director & Environmental Planner

Education

Bachelor Arts (Honours), Victoria University of Wellington, 1979
Masters of Regional and Resource Planning (Distinction), University of Otago, 1984

Certification

Making Good Decisions Certificate for Resource Management Act decision makers
(accredited Chairperson), effective to 30 June 2013

Professional Affiliations

Fellow, New Zealand Planning Institute (President 1998-2000)
Member, Resource Management Law Association

Awards

Distinguished Service Award, NZ Planning Institute 2008

Profile

Robert has worked in planning since 1983, primarily as a consultant to clients throughout New Zealand, including national corporations, local authorities, development companies and private individuals. He is experienced in most aspects of planning, including environmental impact assessment, feasibility studies, district and regional planning, general research and surveys, strategic planning and policy-making. While Robert specialises in District Plan policy research and evaluation, he has worked across a range of RMA and environmental policy frameworks.

Robert also has particular expertise in evaluating sites and options for development projects, which includes scoping investigations, assessing the environmental and planning feasibility of proposals and co-ordinating resource consent applications. He is an experienced project manager and expert witness, providing expert evidence before council hearings and the Environment Court.

An accredited RMA decision-maker, Robert regularly acts as an independent Hearings Commissioner. He also provides best practice advice on RMA and strategic planning.

Expertise

Environmental policy and plan preparation

Analysing issues and developing objectives, policies, rules and other provisions for Regional and District Plans; coordinating regional and strategic planning studies, public information, community consultation and assisting with public hearings. Also experienced in preparing best practice guidance on a range of planning issues.

Urban, transportation and strategic planning

Researching urban development issues and developing strategic plans, including transportation, historic and conservation projects, and urban planning and development strategies; formulating alternative planning techniques in environmental management.

Feasibility studies/site evaluation/master planning

Advising on project feasibility, including due diligence assessment, analysis of options under District Plans, advice on project design and environmental mitigation, and liaison with relevant consent authorities and other organisations.

Resource consents and assessments of effects on the environment

Preparing resource consent applications for projects including AEE (Assessments of Effects on the Environment), advice on mitigation, analysis of Plan provisions, consultation with consent authorities and affected parties, and presenting evidence to Council or Environment Court hearings. Also in preparing or assessing notices of requirements for designations.

Community profiling, consultation and public participation

Manager of consultation programmes for many of the projects above, from small local projects through to nationwide. Skilled in summarising complex issues and submissions for public participation processes.

Decision-making and mediation

An accredited independent hearing commissioner, with experience on a range of resource consents and plan changes. Skills in mediation.

Project management

Coordinating the input of different technical disciplines for complex planning projects, including the preparation of environmental impact assessments and audits, strategic studies and planning policy development.