KEPCO Bylong Australia Pty Ltd v Bylong Valley Protection Alliance Inc [2021] NSWCA 216

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: KEPCO Bylong Australia Pty Ltd v Bylong Valley Protection Alliance Inc [2021] NSWCA 216 Hearing dates: 25 August 2021 Date of orders: 14 September 2021 Decision date: 14 September 2021 Before: Basten and Payne JJA at [1]; Preston CJ of LEC at [84] Decision: (1) Direct that Bylong Valley Protection Alliance Inc be named as the first respondent. (2) Dismiss the appeal. (3) Order that the appellant pay the costs of the first respondent. Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review – error of law – review of decision of consent authority – construction of State Environmental Planning Policy – whether decision-maker considered conditions aimed at ensuring that greenhouse gas emissions are minimised to the greatest extent practicable ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review – error of law – obligation to consider case presented by applicant – minimising scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions of thermal coal – whether refusal of proposal could lead to use of inferior resource with higher emissions ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review – error of law – reference in reasons to "no evidence" – where information before decision-maker – whether reasons indicated decision-maker not satisfied that information provided rational basis for finding sought ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING – development application – refusal of consent – judicial review – State significant development – coal mine proposal – consent required from Independent Planning Commission – construction of Mining SEPP, cl 14 – conditions of development STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – "applicable … policies … concerning greenhouse gas emissions" – State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) 2007 (NSW), cl 14(2) Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1977 (NSW), s 1.3, 4.38, 8.7; Pt 4.15 Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 (NSW), s 6 State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) 2007 (NSW), cll 2, 12, 12A, 12AB, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17H; Pt 3 Cases Cited: A v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [1999] FCA 227 Anderson v Director General, Department of Environment and Climate Change (2008) 163 LGERA 400; [2008] NSWCA 337 Broussard v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1989) 21 FCR 472 Buck v Bavone (1976) 135 CLR 110 Dranichnikov v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [2003] HCA 26; 77 ALJR 1088 Fattah v Minister for Home Affairs (2019) 268 FCR 33; [2019] FCAFC 31 Kindimindi Investments Pty Ltd v Lane Cove Council (2006) 143 LGERA 277; [2006] NSWCA 23 MZAPC v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2021] HCA 17; 95 ALJR 441 Oshlack v Richmond River Council (1998) 193 CLR 72; [1998] HCA 11 Parramatta City Council v Hale (1982) 47 LGRA 319 Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; Ex parte Miah (2001) 206 CLR 57; [2001] HCA 22 Weal v Bathurst City Council (2000) 111 LGERA 181; [2000] NSWCA 88 Wollar Progress Association Inc v Wilpinjong Coal Pty Ltd [2018] NSWLEC 92 Category: Principal judgment Parties: KEPCO Bylong Australia Pty Ltd (Appellant) Bylong Valley Protection Alliance Incorporated (First Respondent) Independent Planning Commission (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr J Kirk SC with Mr D Hume (Appellant) Mr S Free SC with Ms R McEwen (First Respondent) Submitting appearance (Second Respondent)