North Parramatta Residents Action Group v Infrastructure NSW [2021] NSWLEC 60

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: North Parramatta Residents Action Group v Infrastructure NSW [2021] NSWLEC 60 Hearing dates: 24 and 25 May 2021 Date of orders: 16 June 2021 Decision date: 16 June 2021 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Moore J Decision: See orders at [339] Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW ‑ Minister grants development consent to Powerhouse Parramatta ‑ original development application proposes demolition of "Willow Grove" and "St George's Terrace", local heritage items listed in the Parramatta Local Environmental Plan 2011 ‑ development modified during environmental impact statement (EIS) submission and consideration process ‑ proposed demolition of "St George's Terrace" abandoned ‑ final proposal envisages "Willow Grove" will be disassembled and re‑erected at another site ‑ North Parramatta Residents Action Group challenges validity of consent ‑ adequacy of EIS ‑ interaction between cl 7 of Sch 2 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 with the Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) ‑ extent of requirement to examine feasible alternative sites ‑ extent of requirement to examine feasible alternative designs retaining "Willow Grove" ‑ whether EIS compliant with cl 7(1)(c) of the Regulation and with the SEARs ‑ if not compliant, was the EIS substantially compliant with the requirements of cl 7(1)(c) of the Regulation and with the SEARs - EIS substantially compliant ‑ Summons dismissed ‑ costs reserved Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, ss 1.3, 2.5, 4.39, 4.60 and 5.16 Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, cll 3(8), 6, 7, 9 and 9(1) of Sch 2 Infrastructure NSW Act 2011 Land and Environment Court Act 1979, s 25 Parramatta Local Environmental Plan 2011 Cases Cited: Botany Bay City Council v Minister for Planning (2006) 148 LGERA 251; [2006] NSWLEC 194 Davis v Gosford City Council (2014) 87 NSWLR 699; [2014] NSWCA 343 Helman v Byron Shire Council (1995) 87 LGERA 349 Jarasius v Forestry Commission of New South Wales (1988) 71 LGRA 79 Nessdee Pty Limited v Orange City Council [2017] NSWLEC 158 Prineas v Forestry Commission of New South Wales (1983) 49 LGRA 403 Prineas v Forestry Commission of New South Wales (1984) 53 LGRA 160 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355; [1998] HCA 28 Rosemount Estates Pty Limited v Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning (1996) 90 LGERA 1 Schaffer Corporation Ltd v Hawkesbury City Council (1992) 77 LGRA 21 Taylor v The Owners of Strata Plan 11564 and Others (2014) 253 CLR 531; [2014] HCA 9 Timbarra Protection Coalition Inc v Ross Mining NL (1999) 46 NSWLR 55; [1999] NSWCA 8 Category: Principal judgment Parties: North Parramatta Residents Action Group (Applicant) Infrastructure NSW (First Respondent) Minister for Planning and Public Spaces (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr T Hale SC/Ms P Hart, barrister (Applicant) Mr R Lancaster SC/Mr T Boyle, barrister (First Respondent) Mr R Beasley SC/Ms M O'Brien, barrister (Second Respondent)