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Ever considered sub-dividing your property? Perhaps you would like to add a granny flat or chop a tree down. Maybe the retaining wall the neighbour is building next door looks a little high to you. Is there anything you can do about it? And what about that big development nearby? Should you make a submission to council about it?
These kinds of questions often require the services of a good planning consultant, who can help secure appropriate consents for your projects and advise on what is and what is not permissible.
With Mahurangi’s rapid growth, everyone from private homeowners to major developers to local councils have been beating a path to Warkworth-based OPC consultants to seek out the firm’s expertise.
That heavy workload posed a challenge for director Burnette Macnicol – a difficulty that became more acute when a senior staff member resigned, leaving a big hole to fill.
Burnette’s solution was to sell her business to Barker & Associates but continue to work as an employee of the enlarged firm from the same offices in Lilburn Street.
She says the move will be a huge boon for clients, giving them greater access to a broader range of expertise and resources, and at the same time allowing her to respond more quickly to clients’ needs
Burnette is also looking forward to working as part of a bigger team.
“You are in a stronger position professionally if you have a team of people you can bounce ideas off, and it allows you to peer-review each other’s work,” she says.
Burnette has lived in Warkworth from the age of 11 and is passionate about seeing growth in the area that is well planned.
To this end, she spurred the development of a community-led spatial plan to inform broader Auckland Council planning and has engaged in pro bono work for Warkworth Wellsford Hospice and various community groups.
She says the secret to good planning is having a high degree of common sense and a nose for finding solutions.
“And a lot of it is about knowing your local community really well and building relationships,” she says.
