Tomasic v Port Stephens Council [2021] NSWLEC 56

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Tomasic v Port Stephens Council [2021] NSWLEC 56 Hearing dates: 10-14 May 2021 Date of orders: 02 June 2021 Decision date: 02 June 2021 Jurisdiction: Class 1 Before: Preston CJ Decision: The Court orders: (1) The appeal is dismissed. (2) Development application no 16-2019-266-1 for the subdivision of Lot 16 DP32005 known as 4 Kuranga Avenue, Raymond Terrace is determined by refusal of consent. (3) The exhibits except for Exhibits V, X and Y, are to be returned to the party tendering the exhibit. Catchwords: APPEAL – subdivision – refusal of development consent – proposed subdivision inconsistent with development control plan – planned local street and bus route not provided – weight to be given to development control plan – insufficient justification for inconsistency with development control plan – no reasonable alternative solution proposed in development application – unacceptable impacts on endangered ecological community and koala feed trees Legislation Cited: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 ss 7.2, 7.3, 7.13 Conveyancing Act 1919 s 88B Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 ss 3.42, 3.43, 4.15(3A) Port Stephens Development Control Plan 2014 Port Stephens Development Control Plan 2007 Port Stephens Local Environmental Plan 2013 Port Stephens Local Environmental Plan 2000 Rural Fires Act 1997 s 100B State Environmental Planning Policy (Koala Habitat Protection) 2021 State Environmental Planning Policy (Koala Habitat Protection) 2020 State Environmental Planning Policy (Koala Habitat Protection) 2019 State Environmental Planning Policy No 44 – Koala Habitat Protection Cases Cited: Botany Bay City Council v Saab Corp Pty Ltd (2011) 183 LGERA 228; [2011] NSWCA 308 Conquest Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2011) 184 LGERA 1; [2011] NSWLEC 52 Dogild Pty Ltd v Warringah Council (2008) 158 LGERA 429; [2008] NSWLEC 53 Nalor Pty Ltd v Bankstown City Council (1980) 2 NSWLR 630 Newbury District Council v Secretary of State for the Environment [1981] AC 578 Saffioti v Kiama Municipal Council [2019] NSWLEC 57 Sofi v Wollondilly Shire Council (1975) 2 NSWLR 614 Stockland Development Pty Ltd v Manly Council (2004) 136 LGERA 254; [2004] NSWLEC 472 Weal v Bathurst City Council (2000) 111 LGERA 181; [2000] NSWCA 88 Western Australian Planning Commission v Temwood Holdings Pty Ltd (2004) 221 CLR 30; [2004] HCA 63 Zhang v Canterbury City Council (2001) 51 NSWLR 589; [2001] NSWCA 167 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Michael Tomasic (First Applicant) James Tomasic (Second Applicant) Port Stephens Council (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Fraser (Applicants) Ms H Irish (Respondent)