Environment Council of Central Queensland Inc v Minister for the Environment and Water (No 2) [2024] FCAFC 97

Federal Court of Australia

Environment Council of Central Queensland Inc v Minister for the Environment and Water (No 2) [2024] FCAFC 97 Appeals from: Environment Council of Central Queensland Inc v Minister for the Environment and Water (No 2) [2023] FCA 1208 Environment Council of Central Queensland Inc v Minister for the Environment and Water (No 3) [2023] FCA 1532

File numbers: VID 885 of 2023 VID 886 of 2023

Judgment of: MORTIMER CJ, COLVIN AND HORAN JJ

Date of judgment: 17 July 2024

Catchwords: COSTS – submissions as to costs following dismissal of appeals – public interest litigation – no orders as to costs of the appeals

Legislation: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) ss 75(1), 78(1)(a), 78A, 78C, 527E Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 43

Cases cited: Anvil Hill Project Watch Association Inc v Minister for the Environment and Water Resources [2007] FCA 1480; 243 ALR 784 Anvil Hill Project Watch Association Inc v Minister for the Environment and Water Resources [2008] FCAFC 3; 166 FCR 54 Bob Brown Foundation Inc v Minister for the Environment and Water (No 3) [2022] FCA 989 Capricornia Credit Union Ltd v Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2007] FCAFC 112 Commissioner of Police (NSW) v Fine [2014] NSWCA 327; 87 NSWLR 1 Community Television Sydney Ltd v Australian Broadcasting Authority (No 2) [2004] FCA 614; 136 FCR 338 DBE17 v Commonwealth (No 2) [2018] FCA 1793 Environment Council of Central Queensland Inc v Minister for the Environment and Water (No 3) [2023] FCA 1532 Environment Council of Central Queensland Inc v Minister for the Environment and Water [2024] FCAFC 56 Firebird Global Master Fund II Ltd v Republic of Nauru (No 2) [2015] HCA 53 Foots v Southern Cross Mine Management Pty Ltd [2007] HCA 56; (2007) 234 CLR 52 Freedom Pharmaceutical Pty Ltd v Minister for Health (No 2) [2021] FCA 1250 Geographical Indications Committee v The Honourable Justice O'Connor [2000] FCA 1877; 32 AAR 169 Helmbright v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs (No 3) [2021] FCA 955 Huon Aquaculture Group Ltd v Minister for the Environment (No 2) [2018] FCA 1938 IFTC Broking Services Limited v Commissioner of Taxation [2010] FCAFC 22 Knowles v Commonwealth of Australia (No 2) [2022] FCA 1003 Latoudis v Casey [1990] HCA 59; 170 CLR 534 Macedon Ranges Shire Council v Romsey Hotel Pty Ltd [2008] VSCA 45; 19 VR 422 Muswellbrook Shire Council v Hunter Valley Energy Pty Ltd [2019] NSWCA 216; 238 LGERA 295 Norbis v Norbis (1986) 161 CLR 513 Northern Territory v Sangare [2019] HCA 25; 265 CLR 164 Our Town FM Pty Ltd v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (No 3) (1987) 77 ALR 609 Oshlack v Richmond River Council [1998] HCA 11; 193 CLR 72 Peacock v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission [2005] FCAFC 45 R v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal; Ex parte Hardiman [1980] HCA 13; 144 CLR 13 Ruddock v Vadarlis (No 2) [2001] FCA 1865; 115 FCR 229 Save the Ridge Inc v Commonwealth [2006] FCAFC 51 South-West Forest Defence Foundation v Department of Conservation and Land Management (No 2) [1998] HCA 35 TXU Electricity Ltd v Office of the Regulator-General [2001] VSC 4; 3 VR 93 Wide Bay Conservation Council Inc v Burnett Water Pty Ltd (No 9) [2011] FCA 661; 194 FCR 250 Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc v Minister for the Environment [2019] FCA 1842; 275 FCR 287