McCusker v North Sydney Council [2021] NSWLEC 1310

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: McCusker v North Sydney Council [2021] NSWLEC 1310 Hearing dates: 20-21 April 2021, written submissions 5, 14 and 18 May 2021 Date of orders: 11 June 2021 Decision date: 11 June 2021 Jurisdiction: Class 1 Before: Dickson C Decision: The Court orders that: (1) The appeal is dismissed. (2) Development Application No DA 37/2019 for subdivision of Lot 1 DP 79142 at 66 Shellcove Road, Neutral Bay is refused. (3) The exhibits are returned with the exception of Exhibits A and B. Catchwords: DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION – proposed subdivision of existing residential lot – no demolition, construction or subdivision works proposed – whether the proposed development will have a detrimental impact on Bovington, a listed heritage item – whether the proposed development will have a detrimental impact on the Cremorne Heritage Conservation Area – variation to minimum lot size – whether the Applicants request to vary the lot size standard should be upheld Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 North Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2013 Cases Cited: Addenbrooke Pty Ltd v Woollahra Municipal Council [2008] NSWLEC 190 Four2Five Pty Ltd v Ashfield Council [2015] NSWLEC 90 HP Subsidiary Pty Ltd v City of Parramatta Council [2020] NSWLEC 135 Initial Action Pty v Woollahra Municipal Council (2018) 236 LGERA 256; [2018] NSWLEC 118 Parrott v Kiama [2004] NSWLEC 77 Trustees of the Marist Fathers for the Province of Australia v Hunters Hill [2019] NSWLEC 1255 Wehbe v Pittwater Council (2007) 156 LGERA 446; [2007] NSWLEC 827 Woollahra Municipal Council v SJD DB2 Pty Limited [2020] NSWLEC 115 Texts Cited: North Sydney Development Control Plan 2013 NSW Heritage Manual 'Assessing Heritage Significance' guidelines, NSW Heritage Office, 2001 The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance, 2013 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Anne McCusker (Applicant) North Sydney Council (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: D Loether (Solicitor) (Applicant) D Birch (Respondent)