The Council of the City of Sydney v Emag Apartments Pty Limited [2023] NSWLEC 23

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: The Council of the City of Sydney v Emag Apartments Pty Limited [2023] NSWLEC 23 Hearing dates: 14 December 2022 Date of orders: 17 March 2023 Decision date: 17 March 2023 Jurisdiction: Class 1 Before: Duggan J Decision: See paragraphs 115 to 117 Catchwords: APPEAL – s 56A of Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW) – cl 6.21 of the Sydney Local Environmental Plan – proper construction of design excellence clause – whether Commissioner failed to have regard to mandatory requirements – cl 55 of Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation – whether error of law in granting consent to amended DA where DA not lawfully amended – lack of owner's consent at time unamended DA determined – whether Commissioner failed to give adequate reasons – appeal allowed and remitted to Commissioner – Respondent to pay costs Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW) Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Planning Portal) Regulation 2020 (NSW) Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (NSW) Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (NSW) Cases Cited: Al Maha Pty Ltd v Huajan Investments Pty Ltd (2018) 233 LGERA 170 Aloke Holdings Pty Ltd v Council of the City of Sydney [2019] NSWLEC 1177 Australian Consulting Architects Pty Ltd v Liverpool City Council (2017) 226 LGERA 406 Cavcorp Australia Pty Ltd v Hunters Hill Council [2021] NSWLEC 104 Design Power Associates Pty Ltd v Willoughby City Council (2005) 148 LGERA 233 DV016 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2021) 95 ALJR 375 El Boustani v Minister administering the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (2014) 199 LGERA 198 Georges River Council v S A F Group Pty Ltd [2021] NSWLEC 151 Gomon Pty Ltd v Council of the City of Sydney [2019] NSWLEC 116 Lateral Estate Pty Ltd v The Council of the City of Sydney [2017] NSWLEC 6 Owners Strata Plan 83556 (t/as Aspect Apartments) v Dehsabzi [2020] NSWLEC 175 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Segal v Waverley Council (2005) 64 NSWLR 177 Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 State Super SAS Trustee Corporation v Cornes [2013] NSWCA 257 Sutherland Shire Council v Bluewater District Services [1999] NSWCA 437 Tanious v Georges River Council [2016] NSWLEC 142 Toga Penrith Developments Pty Ltd v Penrith City Council [2022] NSWLEC 117 Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) v Parramatta City Council [2018] NSWLEC 158 V'Landys v Land and Environment Court (NSW) (2012) 193 LGERA 47 Woollahra Municipal Council v SJD D82 Pty Ltd [2020] NSWLEC 115 Category: Principal judgment Parties: The Council of the City of Sydney (Appellant) Emag Apartments Pty Limited (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J Lazarus SC (Appellant) A Pickles SC and M Staunton (Respondent)