Bianca is head of the firm's Property and Environment division and a resource management and environmental law specialist. She provides advice to both public and private sector entities on all aspects of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and related legislation.
Bianca is experienced in a broad range of development projects and environmental issues, including in the retail, commercial, industrial, infrastructure, aquaculture, forestry, agriculture, and energy sectors.
Working closely with companies such as Stride Property, Oyster, Southern Cross Healthcare, and Metlifecare Bianca advises on their nationwide property portfolios to obtain appropriate zoning and consents for major projects.
Bianca has also worked within the energy sector, having advised on the consenting process for windfarms, gas pipelines and geothermal projects across New Zealand.
Her clients value her knowledge of their business and her clear, commercial advice on resource consent and planning processes and strategy.
Bianca routinely advises and prepares submissions on district and regional plans. She has enabled numerous clients to achieve an uplift in zoning or area specific precinct controls to support development.
Experienced in the related fields of the Public Works Act and the Local Government Act, Bianca can help with public acquisition, development contributions and private development agreements. She provides clients with valuable continuity between Notice of Requirement and acquisition processes on significant infrastructure projects.
Clients also seek Bianca’s assistance with undertaking environmental due diligence. Her expertise in this area includes advising on the Overseas Investment Act (OIA), contaminated land liability, and drafting environmental warranties and indemnities.
Skilled at dispute resolution, Bianca regularly appears in complex cases before the Environment Court, High Court and Boards of Inquiry. Bianca also represents clients at mediation.
With a background in science, Bianca enjoys the technical side of her practice and is skilled at translating scientific concepts into plain English. Beyond her vast experience and technical skills, clients appreciate Bianca’s in-depth knowledge of their interests and objectives and her collaborative approach to solving problems and achieving desired outcomes. She partners with clients to positively shape New Zealand’s environment.
Career highlights
Coordinating and leading joint submissions and appearances for major property owners in Wellington on the city centre zone and hazard overlays in the Proposed Wellington City Plan.
Advising Emrod on planning controls to support testing sites for long-range wireless power transfer technology.
Advising Southern Cross on its request for a private plan change to the Auckland Unitary Plan, and a concurrent resource consent application, to enable the expansion of Brightside Hospital.
Advising Wellington Gateway Partnership on a range of environmental, resource consent and designation matters during construction, road opening and completion of Transmission Gully.
Advising Aquila Capital on resource consent and environmental reporting to successfully obtain project financing for four solar farms in the North Island.
Assisting Metlifecare with consenting strategy, planning due diligence, plan reviews, and development contribution policies.
Advising Stratex Group on Waka Kotahi – New Zealand Transport Agency's East West Link proposal and associated land acquisition under the Public Works Act.
Affiliations
- Member, Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand (RMLA)
- Member, Infrastructure New Zealand
- Member, Property Council New Zealand
Achievements and recognition
- Recognised, Environment and Resource Management, Chambers Asia-Pacific
- Tier 1 team, Projects and resource management (including environment), The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific