Della Franca v Lorenzato; Burwood Council v Lorenzato [2021] NSWCA 321

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Della Franca v Lorenzato; Burwood Council v Lorenzato [2021] NSWCA 321 Hearing dates: 8 and 9 September 2021 Date of orders: 16 December 2021 Decision date: 16 December 2021 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Macfarlan JA at [42]; Brereton JA at [128]. Decision: In Burwood Council's appeal (1) Allow the appeal. (2) Set aside the orders made at first instance on 23 November 2020. (3) Judgment for Ms Lorenzato against Burwood Council in the sum of $83,846.44 to take effect from 23 November 2020. (4) Order Ms Lorenzato to pay Burwood Council's costs on appeal and 50% of the Council's costs at first instance. In Mr Della Franca's appeal (1) Reject the applications of Mr Della Franca to adduce further evidence on appeal. (2) Allow the appeal. (3) Set aside the orders made at first instance on 23 November 2020. (4) Judgment for Mr Della Franca on Ms Lorenzato's claim against him. (5) Order Ms Lorenzato to pay Mr Della Franca's costs at first instance and on appeal. Catchwords: TORTS – negligent misstatement – whether a planning certificate issued by Council under s 149 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act contained negligent misstatements – whether resolution adopted by Council constituted a "policy" – whether any such policy was abandoned TORTS – negligent misstatement – answers to requisitions supplied by vendor of real property did not contain misstatements TORTS – negligent misstatement – s 43A Civil Liability Act – whether the issue of a planning certificate under s 149 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act constituted the exercise of a "special statutory power" TORTS – negligent misstatement – s 733 Local Government Act – whether s 733 exemption from liability applied to s 149 planning certificate issued by Council – whether "advice… relating to the likelihood of any land being flooded" Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3B, 5B, 40, 43A; Pts 1A, 4, 5 Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 100 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), s 149 Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, cll 7, 7A; Sch 4 Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), ss 59A, 733 Cases Cited: Bankstown City Council v Zraika (2016) 94 NSWLR 159; [2016] NSWCA 51 Bebonis v Angelos (2003) 56 NSWLR 127; [2003] NSWCA 13 Board of Fire Commissioners (NSW) v Ardouin (1961) 109 CLR 105; [1961] HCA 71 Curtis v Harden Shire Council (2014) 88 NSWLR 10; [2014] NSWCA 314 Gran Gelato Ltd v Richcliff (Group) Ltd [1992] Ch 560; 1 All ER 865 L Shaddock & Associates Pty Ltd v The Council of the City of Parramatta (No 1) (1981) 150 CLR 225; [1981] HCA 59 Lorenzato v Burwood Council (2020) 245 LGERA 328; [2020] NSWSC 1659 Mid Density Developments Pty Ltd v Rockdale Municipal Council (1993) 44 FCR 290; [1993] FCA 590 Mutual Life & Citizens' Assurance Co Ltd v Evatt (1968) 122 CLR 556; [1968] HCA 74 Port Stephens Shire Council v Booth (2005) 148 LGERA 351; [2005] NSWCA 323 Pyrenees Shire Council v Day (1998) 192 CLR 330; [1998] HCA 3 Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority t/as Seqwater v Rodriguez & Sons Pty Ltd [2021] NSWCA 206 Stovin v Wise (1996) AC 923 Sutherland Shire Council v Heyman (1985) 157 CLR 424; [1985] HCA 41 Votraint No 1088 Pty Ltd v Commonwealth [2005] NSWCA 249 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Matter 2020/339522: Michael Lewis Della Franca (Appellant) Elisa Lorenzato (Respondent)