Straightforward planning, grounded in local knowledge
Local, by design. Nationwide, by capability.
About Us
Southern Land & Water Planning (SLWP) provides clear, practical planning advice for people navigating land use, planning and resource management services.
Based in Otago and Southland, we work closely with our local communities while also supporting clients and projects across New Zealand.
We believe good planning supports better outcomes for landowners, communities and the environment.
Our role is to help balance those priorities in a way that works in the real world.
Our Approach
Our approach is collaborative, practical and solutions-led.
At Southern Land & Water Planning (SLWP) We:
• Listen first
• Take time to understand your project and goals
• Identify risks and opportunities early
• Work constructively with councils and stakeholders
• Provide advice that is realistic, clear and actionable
Learn how we work
Local, by design.
Nationwide, by capability.
Otago and Southland are home. This is where much of our work is based and where our local knowledge runs deep.
At the same time, planning challenges aren’t limited by region.
We regularly support projects in other parts of New Zealand, working with local councils, consultants and project teams to deliver well-considered outcomes.
This balance allows us to offer:
• Strong regional insight
• Broader perspective
• Flexible support for projects of varying scale and location
Let’s start the conversation
Meet The Team
Sonya Nicol
Sonya has twenty years experience in planning and resource management roles in local government, as a private consultant, and she has worked as a Senior Planner in London.
Her experience is varied and she has prepared and processed a range of resource consent applications from new dwellings to large residential and commercial developments, water takes and dairy effluent discharge permits, as well as spending time reviewing, and drafting district and regional plans. This experience is combined with on the ground farming knowledge.
Sonya holds a Bachelor of Resource Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in Resource Studies from Lincoln University. Sonya has completed Massey University’s Intermediate and Advanced Sustainable Nutrient Management courses, as well as the Intermediate Farm Environment Planning course. Sonya has also completed the Making Good Decisions course, which is a Training, Assessment and Certification Programme for RMA Decision-Makers
Email: sonya@slwp.co.nz
Phone: 027 505 0077
Rebecca Robertson
Rebecca has fourteen years experience working in planning and resource management roles in Southland. During this time, she has been involved in a range of work from resource consent preparation and assessment, policy development including regional plans, conservation management strategies and national park management plans and project management.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Lincoln University and a Masters of Resource and Environmental Planning from Massey University. Rebecca has completed Massey University’s advanced farm environment plan course and is a certified nutrient management advisor. Rebecca is a Graduate member of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects and an Associate member of the New Zealand Planning Institute.
Email: rebecca@slwp.co.nz
Phone: 027 424 6129
Burnetta Van Stipraan
Burnetta has 17 years planning and resource management experience from working as a Resource Management/Environmental Consultant here, and as a Deputy Area Planning Manager and an Associate Director for Development and Residential Consulting in London, with a mix of full and part-time roles.
Burnetta has been involved in planning audits and appraisals, policy development, consultation and engagement and reporting, and has handled a range of applications, including project managing application submissions, and processing applications as a Consultant Processing Officer for both Environment Southland and Tasman District Council. Burnetta holds a Master of Science with 1st Class Honours in Geography and Certificates of Proficiency in Planning from the University of Auckland.
Email: burnetta@slwp.co.nz
Anna Trent
Anna has extensive experience in the dairy industry. She grew up in the Hauraki Plains in the Waikato and has spent most of her life working on farms throughout Southland. Her roles have ranged from farm assistant to low-order sharemilker, giving her a strong foundation in the industry.
Her passion for earth and environmental sciences led her to pursue higher education. She completed a Bachelor of Environmental Management at the Southern Institute of Technology and went on to earn a Master of Applied Science in Environmental Management at the University of Otago.
Anna is deeply committed to supporting agriculture in ways that are sustainable for both landowners and New Zealand. She values having a balanced perspective at the intersection of farming and policy and takes pride in contributing thoughtful, practical insights.
Email: anna@slwp.co.nz
Joanna Shirley
Joanna has eight years experience working in resource management in Southland. She has been involved in a range of district planning resource consents including subdivisions, and land use consents. She has experience addressing a range of complex topics including infrastructure, roading and contaminated land.
Email: joanna@slwp.co.nz
Scott Slater (Contractor)
Scott has a diverse career as an environmental practitioner over the last 17 years, with a mix of full and part time roles specialising in ecology and earth science fields. His skill set includes ecological assessment, soil and groundwater investigations, wetland restoration, native fish monitoring and recovery planning, contaminated site assessment, remediation action plans and project management.
Scott also has expertise in the outdoor tourism sector as an operator and in preparing applications for resource consent and Department of Conservation concessions. Scott holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Environmental Science from Flinders University.
Email: scott@slwp.co.nz