Rovest Holdings Pty Ltd v Cobar Shire Council [2021] NSWLEC 1618

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Rovest Holdings Pty Ltd v Cobar Shire Council [2021] NSWLEC 1618 Hearing dates: 29 September 2021 Date of orders: 20 October 2021 Decision date: 20 October 2021 Jurisdiction: Class 1 Before: Clay AC Decision: The Court orders that: (1) The appeal is upheld. (2) Development application number DA 2019/LD-00023 for the expansion of an existing mine workers' village (existing village) by the addition of 20 x 4-bed accommodation units and associated infrastructure and minor alterations to the existing communal areas at Lot 991 in Deposited Plan 1029946 known as 12769 Barrier Highway, Cobar is approved subject to the conditions in Annexure A. (3) Exhibits 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are returned. Catchwords: DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION – addition of 20 accommodation units containing a total of 80 beds to an existing mine workers' village – minor alterations to existing communal facilities – existing use rights – economic impacts – social impacts – weight to be given to strategic plans – objections – public interest Legislation Cited: Cobar Local Environmental Plan 2001 Cobar Local Environmental Plan 2012 cll 1.8, 2.3, 6.3 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 ss 4.15, 4.65, 4.66, 4.67, 8.7 Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 cll 41, 42, 43 Cases Cited: Elanor Investors Limited v Sydney Zoo Pty Ltd (No 5) [2020] NSWLEC 93 Inghams Enterprises v Kira Holdings Pty Ltd (1996) 90 LGERA 68 Milne v Minister for Planning (No 2) [2007] NSWLEC 66 MM & SW Enterprises Pty Limited v Strathfield Council (2010) 172 LGERA 125; [2010] NSWLEC 8 MM & SW Enterprises Pty Limited v Strathfield Municipal Council [2011] NSWCA 14 Randall Pty Ltd v Willoughby City Council (2005) 144 LGERA 119; [2005] NSWCA 205 Saffioti v Kiama Municipal Council [2019] NSWLEC 57 Warkworth Mining Limited v Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association Inc (2014) 307 ALR 262; [2014] NSWCA 105 Texts Cited: Cobar Shire Local Strategic Planning Statement Far West Regional Plan 2036 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Rovest Holdings Pty Ltd (Applicant) Cobar Shire Council (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: M Seymour with C Koikas (Applicant) A Seton (Solicitor) (Respondent)