Jason has practiced in environmental law since his admission to the bar in 1997.  He has developed a particular focus on the energy sector, infrastructure projects, and large scale development proposals.  He has successfully consented some this country’s most challenging and complex projects, and his work has spanned a wide variety of industry sectors including coastal developments, pulp and paper, forestry, primary industries and electricity generation. 

Jason is an expert adviser in Liquor Licensing and sale of liquor matters, and is a recognized trainer in the NZQA Licence Controller Qualifications.

NOTABLE EXPERIENCE

• Lead Counsel for a major national electricity generator in respect of its 200MW Windfarm in Otago, involving up to 100 turbines over a 1600ha site

• Assisting New Zealand's principal steel manufacturer and recycler obtain air discharge consent for continued operation of a significant steel manufacturing plant

• Successfully obtaining resource consents for the first new hydro-electric power scheme to be consented under the Resource Management Act

• Providing liquor licensing advice and ongoing licence controller qualification training to the country’s largest entertainment and hospitality provider, and to a range of other commercial interests including international airline operators, cinemas, hotel operators and wine merchants

• Appearing before district and regional councils and the Environment Court for the re-consenting of a range of significant hydro-electric power schemes throughout New Zealand

• Lead Counsel for a new 46MW hydro-electric power scheme proposed on the West Coast of the South Island

• Acting for a development trust on its proposed 850 lot coastal community and resort.  The trust is a joint venture vehicle for private development and iwi interests concerned to utilise lands returned as part of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement with the Crown

• Acting for a major developer in all planning and environmental matters associated with the Omaha South residential coastal subdivision, golf course, commercial retail development and waste water treatment plant upgrade.  The development relied upon the adoption of a comprehensive plan change, and on an extensive suite of resource consents processed on a non-notified basis

• Advising on the application of the Public Works Act and Overseas Investment Act in the context of securing interests in land necessary for a 93MW capacity increase, and 220Kv transmission line extension, for a major existing windfarm

• Acting for New Zealand’s only fuel refining company in relation to the strategic and planning issues associated with an expansion required to meet new Government fuel specifications

• Advising an international pulp and paper manufacturer on environmental issues associated with its mills, effluent treatment plant, and associated processing sites and discharges

• Assisting a major national industrial corporate with the re-consenting of its pulp mill and associated discharges in an environmentally sensitive area

• Acting for a variety of clients, including private equity interests, on acquisitions and divestments in the context of due diligence investigations and environmental audits

• Advising on the legal and strategic aspects of three cogeneration electricity plants with capacities of 110, 180 and 250 MW respectively

• Auditing and advising on Environmental Management Systems for a number of significant multinational corporations