News

The Christchurch City Council has recently implemented a 'Streamline Resource Consent Application Programme'  enabling "approved consultants" such as ViaStrada to prepare and submit applications for resource consent on an applicant's behalf in a compressed format, which will result in greater certainty, a quicker turnaround and lower consultant and Council processing fees.

ViaStrada works with a number of individuals, architectural firms, housing companies, and residential, commercial and industrial developers who have already benefited from the Streamline process and freed up time otherwise spent on resource consent applications to focus on core business activities.

ViaStrada's planners are currently reviewing the Council-initiated Plan Change 53, which aims to facilitate higher standards of urban design, appearance and residential amenity in the Living 3 and Living 4 Zones in Christchurch.

If you are interested in finding out more about how Plan Change 53 might affect you or your project and how ViaStrada can assist, please don't hesitate to contact Jeremy, Andrew or Kathryn on 03 943 0830.

Today the ViaStrada transport team met for an early breakfast in Redwood and then cycled into work along a recently completed bus priority corridor. This initiative was part of the team's continuing professional development (CPD) and of course a good opportunity to socialise.

The Main North and Papanui Roads bus priority corridor was opened in October 2009 with a number of part time bus lanes and signal improvements in operation. The bus lane outside the café was working well, the general traffic sat in long queues while the buses flew past! Travelling the corridor on a bicycle was great as we could easily and safely pull over and observe operation of the corridor, of particular interest was how the shared bus-bike lanes were operating for both users.

Dr Glen Koorey joined ViaStrada temporarily. Glen is widely known as a transport lecturer at the University of Canterbury, where he teaches courses on Transportation and Traffic Planning, Traffic Engineering and Management, Highway Geometric Design, Road Safety, and Engineering Design.

He was with us from 1 March to mid-May 2010, working from our Christchurch office. This temporary appointment was the first part of Glen's sabbatical leave from the university this year. Following that, he went on a study tour through the USA and Europe.

ViaStrada is once again encouraging staff to hop on their bikes for the annual Bike Wise Challenge. To date, a good proportion of staff have taken up the challenge, whether it be with a short bike ride to work, or a ride on the Port Hills training for Le Race. Staff and families are finishing off the challenge month with a fun, social ride around Bottle Lake Forest followed by a barbeque and well earned rest.

Season's greetings to all our clients, colleagues and peers from the ViaStrada team. We hope you all have a relaxing break, and a safe, enjoyable and healthy 2010.

Our Christchurch and Nelson offices are closed for the summer holidays and will reopen on 5 January 2010.

For a number of reasons we have decided to close our offices in Auckland and Dunedin.  ViaStrada still has the most comprehensive and integrated traffic and planning team in Christchurch, with support from Nelson, and we will continue to offer our professional services around New Zealand.  Further information on our eight services is available here.

Working on projects can (and should) be fun. Here Axel, Megan, Jeanette and John talk through an issue on a recent project while John writes the report.

For the third year running, ViaStrada entered teams in the 6 hour blast at McLeans Forest Park on the banks of the Waimakariri River about 20 km north of Christchurch. Our "A" team brought home some silverware against some very stiff opposition!  Well done to John, Axel and Rick.

A number of changes to the Resource Management Act came into effect on October 2009. These changes are intended to improve consent processes.

Contact one of our planners who can advise on these new changes.