Andrew is an environmental and resource management law specialist and an experienced projects lawyer.

Andrew has been providing strategic advice to a wide range of clients on all aspects of the Resource Management Act and related law for well over a decade and has in depth experience in project development and litigation.

He is regularly involved in plan changes and policy advice for developers and applicants, as well as local authorities, regulatory bodies and objectors.

Andrew has obtained consents for numerous large-scale projects across the country including energy generation projects, retail, infrastructure, subdivisions, land and other developments. Asia Pacific Legal 500 2009/2010 notes that "clients commend Andrew Beatson’s exceptional track record and 'clear, accurate and appropriate' advice".

He also has considerable experience in energy, mining, commercial litigation and public law.

Andrew is a key adviser in the firm's national infrastructure and projects group, a multi-disciplinary team advising public and private sector clients on all aspects of development.

He joined Bell Gully in May 2008 after practising as a barrister at Harbour Chambers in Wellington where he built up a prominent resource management practice.

Qualifications

LLB, Victoria University of Wellington

Admitted

1993 New Zealand

Publications

Contact

Email: Andrew Beatson

DDI: 64 4 915 6770

Mobile: 64 21 223 9170

Download Vcard: Vcard for Andrew Beatson

Areas of Expertise

Recent Work

Wind Farm Projects
Advising and representing Meridian Energy on its wind energy generation projects throughout New Zealand, including a project involving 176 wind turbines with a maximum output of 630MW, generating enough electricity for up to 263,000 homes. It is the largest electricity generation project to be advanced under the Resource Management Act 1991 to date, and attracted the first "whole of government" submission (in support) under that Act. This heavily contested application was successful at Council level but on appeal to the Environment Court, resource consent was refused, a decision which Meridian is appealing. A wide range of important and novel issues have been raised during the proceedings.

CentrePort Harbour Quays
Advising CentrePort on RMA issues associated with port operation and CentrePort's Harbour Quays development, including judicial review proceedings over a decision not to publicly notify an application for consent for the new Bank of New Zealand building and related plan changes.

Victoria University
Advising Victoria University on all RMA issues, including its new student accommodation building and Science Innovation Centre.

Retail Development
Securing non-notified resource consents required for the Queensgate redevelopment in Lower Hutt, and resolving threatened judicial review. Acting for major supermarket chain in plan and consenting matters throughout the Lower North Island.

Ministry of Economic Development
Judicial review, Environment Court, declaratory judgments, litigation (royalties and judicial review) and a wide range of opinion work, including in relation to access issues, seabed and iwi.