Bob has 34 years of experience as a practising planner, beginning with 9 years in central government, 15 years in local government, and in private consultancy since 2002 when he joined Planit.  He is familiar with the administrative and political processes involved with local government planning practice, having spent 10 years taking a leading role in the preparation of the Christchurch City Plan.  Since 2002, Bob has acted for numerous private clients in the preparation of resource consents, and as a Hearings Commissioner (primarily as chair or as sole Commissioner) for many local authorities in the South Island and for the Canterbury Regional Council.  He is experienced in matters involving rural and urban planning, plan reviews and changes, designations, heritage, ‘out of zone’ activities, and activities involving the taking of, and discharges to, water and air.  Bob has been a member of the New Zealand Planning Institute since 1982 and is currently a member of the RMLA and of the ‘Making Good Decisions Advisory Board’ which provides advice to the Ministry for the Environment for Commissioner training.