How many frost fans are in Marlborough?

By the time you read this figure it will be out of date.
But as of May 2008 there were 747 building consents granted for frost fans in Marlborough.
The following is an excerpt from an Environment Court transcript.

APPELLANT: How many resource consents for a frost fan installation have been granted in Marlborough?
COUNCIL WITNESS: I can’t answer that either.
APPELLANT: No sweat. And in that case you won’t be able to tell me how many have been declined I presume?
COUNCIL WITNESS: No.
APPELLANT: And you will not be able to tell me how many have been installed which did not need resource consent? I think I saw a figure in the paper the day other day, but I’m not sure if it was an accurate one.
COUNCIL WITNESS: I’m informed that there’s 747 building consents for wind machines.
APPELLANT: 747?
COUNCIL WITNESS: Yes.
JUDGE: 747 building consents have been issued?
COUNCIL WITNESS: Yes.
JUDGE: In the whole of Marlborough?
COUNCIL WITNESS: Yes.
JUDGE: For wind machines?
COUNCIL WITNESS: Yes.
JUDGE: But you don’t know how many of those needed resource consent as well?
COUNCIL WITNESS: No, your Honour. I’m afraid I don’t deal with all consents for frost machines. It’s spread amongst a team.
JUDGE: All right.

I don’t mind saying it, but it sounds as if the Judge was having a hard time believing the figure.
And get this… The witness says that they spread the consents amongst a team! I suppose with 747 of them it’s more than a single person could cope with!

Actually, come to think of it, how much does a building consent cost for each of these?
Time to do a little digging…