Downes v Maitland City Council [2020] NSWSC 1555

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Downes v Maitland City Council [2020] NSWSC 1555 Hearing dates: 3 November 2020 Decision date: 04 November 2020 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Adamson J Decision: (1) Dismiss the defendant's notice of motion filed on 30 March 2020. (2) Make no order as to costs as the plaintiffs have not incurred legal costs. Catchwords: CIVIL PROCEDURE — Summary disposal — Dismissal of proceedings — Claim by plaintiffs alleging negligence and nuisance — Where defendant relies on Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) s 733 as a complete defence — Whether triable issue as to whether defendant acted in good faith Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), ss 79C, 149 Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Act 1956 (NSW) Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), s 733 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rr 13.4, 42.1 Cases Cited: Alamdo Holdings Pty Ltd v Bankstown City Council [2003] NSWSC 1074; (2003) 134 LGERA 114 Bankstown City Council v Alamdo Holdings Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 325; (2004) 135 LGERA 312 Bankstown City Council v Alamdo Holdings Pty Ltd (2005) 223 CLR 660; [2005] HCA 46 Melaleuca Estate Pty Ltd v Port Stephens Council [2006] NSWCA 31; (2006) 143 LGERA 319 Melaleuca Estate Pty Ltd v Port Stephens Shire Council [2004] NSWSC 415 Port Stephens Shire Council v Booth [2005] NSWCA 323; (2005) 148 LGERA 351 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Maureen Downes (First plaintiff) Louis Downes (Second plaintiff) Maitland City Council (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: In person (Plaintiff) J Guihot (Defendant)