Cox v Mid-Coast Council [2021] NSWCA 190

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Cox v Mid-Coast Council [2021] NSWCA 190 Hearing dates: 8 July 2021 Date of orders: 31 August 2021 Decision date: 31 August 2021 Before: Meagher JA at [1]; Payne JA at [2]; Emmett AJA at [72] Decision: (1) Appeal dismissed; (2) Appellant to pay the costs of the respondent. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE – dangerous recreational activities – appellant suffered injury in mid-air collision between light aircraft and Ferris wheel – appellant engaged in dangerous recreational activity of landing at an unregulated aircraft landing area – whether appellant suffered harm as the result of the materialisation of an obvious risk of a dangerous recreational activity – appropriate level of generality when characterising risk – obviousness of risk – appellant's harm resulted from manifestation of the obvious risk of colliding with obstructions in the splay of the landing area – appeal dismissed Legislation Cited: Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (Cth), r 92 Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5B, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5K, 5L Cases Cited: Alameddine v Glenworth Valley Horse Riding Pty Ltd (2015) 324 ALR 355; [2015] NSWCA 219 Carey v Lake Macquarie City Council [2007] NSWCA 4; (2007) Aust Torts Reports ¶81–874 Carter v Hastings River Greyhound Racing Club (2020) 102 NSWLR 691; [2020] NSWCA 185 Council of the City of Greater Taree v Wells [2010] NSWCA 147; (2010) Aust Torts Reports ¶82–063 Cox v Mid-Coast Council [2020] NSWSC 1710 Echin v Southern Tablelands Gliding Club [2013] NSWSC 516 Fallas v Mourlas (2006) 65 NSWLR 418; [2006] NSWCA 32 Kempsey Shire Council v Five Star Medical Centre Pty Ltd (2018) 99 NSWLR 98; [2018] NSWCA 308 Menz v Wagga Wagga Show Society Inc (2020) 103 NSWLR 103; [2020] NSWCA 65 Singh v Lynch (2020) 103 NSWLR 568; [2020] NSWCA 152 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Paul Clarendon Cox (Appellant) Mid-Coast Council (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: CT Barry QC and R Royle (Appellant) R Sheldon SC (Respondent)