NOTE Meridian Energy Ltd v Central Otago Distict Council - [2011] 1 NZLR 712

Resource management — Resource consents — Wind farm — Efficient use and development of natural and physical resources — Whether consent authority required to consider alternative locations — Whether comprehensive and explicit cost-benefit analysis of proposal could be required — Resource Management Act 1991, ss 7(b), 32, 88 and 104(1)(c) and sch 4, cl 1(b).

Resource management — Resource consents — Whether having regard to effects of climate change includes considering causes of climate change — "Climate change” — Climate Change Response Act 2002.

Practice and procedure — Trial — Decision of Environment Court based on approach in another case decided after hearing — Whether Court should have heard further from parties before adopting that approach — Whether breach of natural justice.