Our Institute has rightly placed considerable emphasis this year on input into the Cadastral Survey Rules review, given the importance of these rules to our bread and butter work and the public generally. It is perhaps timely to remember the other significant work being undertaken within LINZ, to redevelop Landonline.  

While we have heard little of late about these developments, the new search tool (allowing access from any device) was released early prior to the Covid-19 lockdown.  This was to enable easy access to data, particularly for those without Landonline licenses or those unable to access offices. Has anyone used this service and can they provide a review?  Has anyone accessed plans in the field (perhaps you need to search additional data)?

ICS has previously expressed some concerns over a number of proposed aspects of the redevelopment.  These include direct entry reliance and monopoly of third-party software providers, IT requirements, compliance costs, funding, loss of a ‘survey’ plan from the dataset, what does a 3D cadastre look like? etc. Some of these aspects have provisionally been addressed through the Rules review (eg: a ‘survey’ plan will still be required, and deferral of the 3D provisions) and some can only be addressed once sufficient development work has been undertaken.

Given that our client’s are largely funding the development work and that it will impact significantly on our day-to-day work, we look forward to closer dialogue before significant decisions are locked in.

Responses or ripostes should be directed to: president@ics.org.nz

Your feedback on these matters is welcomed.  If you have any other cadastral survey issues that you want support with – or want the ICS to escalate – then please contact a Committee Member or the Secretary - sec@ics.org.nz

LANDONLINE AVAILABILITY
30-May and 30-June-2020:  A previous notice that Landonline was to have an outage on 30-May or 30-June to allow for a back-end upgrade of Landonline servers was sent to members recently. The outage date has since been clarified: 

13-June-2020:  Landonline will not be available on Saturday 13 June to allow time for our services provider to upgrade our database server.  This upgrade is required to ensure that Landonline remains on fully supported hardware.   This change will have no impact on users although some might notice a slight performance improvement on the following Monday due to the more modern hardware.

DIY-enthusiasts will save time and money when new rules come into force which scrap building consent requirements for low-risk projects. Exemptions to the Building Act, which will be introduced in August, will mean that anyone can build a sleep-out, a carport, or a shed, without needing council permission.  The move will scrap as many as 9000 consents having to be reviewed by local authorities, saving an estimated $18m in fees.

Under the scheme, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will increase the number of low-risk building work that does not require pre-approval.   Jenny Salesa, Building and Construction Minister, said the changes will mean New Zealanders save time and money, while councils can focus on higher-risk building work.
 

Stuff – The Press:  21-May-2020
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/121586967/reconfiguration-of-christchurchs-river-red-zone-ahead-of-schedule
Work to reconfigure land titles in part of Christchurch’s red zone — the largest conveyancing project ever undertaken in New Zealand — is ahead of schedule, despite challenges posed by coronavirus. Almost 5500 titles for land that was once people’s homes are being merged to pave the way for the redevelopment of the Ōtākaro-Avon River Corridor.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), which manages the land for the Crown, is reviewing and reconfiguring titles before handing it over to the city council, a process that involves roads being stopped, new lots created and title interests examined to see if anyone has rights to land.

CORONAVIRUS: DAVID PARKER TELLS COUNCILS TO KEEP CONSENTING DURING COVID-19 CRISIS

Great News:-  With the move to Covid-19 Level 2 and more recently Level 1, the AGM and Technical Workshop will most likely be going ahead as planned.  We are currently seeking final confirmation from the Copthorne Hotel, and will advise Members as soon as possible.  

So in light of any potential air travel limitations, we encourage you to look at making your bookings for the 29-Aug event early if you can.  The organising committee is looking at innovative ways to encourage your attendance at this years gathering - an announcement will follow shortly..... 

If there is a topic/speaker you would like to see at the workshop or if you would like to be involved in presenting a workshop session please contact the conveners (Alex Liggett - alex@foxsurvey.co.nz, Paul Durkin - pdurkin@43below.co.nz).  

 

 

If you want to also share your interesting snapshot of anything surveying -  an old or recent survey activity, please send it in to sec@ics.org.nz along with a comment, explanation, or report.  We’d love to see them.