Boydtown Pty Ltd v Minister for Planning and Public Spaces [2023] NSWLEC 47

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Boydtown Pty Ltd v Minister for Planning and Public Spaces [2023] NSWLEC 47 Hearing dates: 17, 18 November 2022 31 March 2023, 14 April 2023 (written submissions) Date of orders: 03 May 2023 and 10 May 2023 Decision date: 03 May 2023 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Pritchard J Decision: Orders at [231] and [234] Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review – planning proposal to amend Bega Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013 (NSW) – extension of time to commence proceedings under r 59.10(2) UCPR – Gateway Determination subject to conditions – decision to endorse planning proposal – decision to approve revised planning proposal – meaning of planning proposal – Minister's power to make Gateway Determination under s 56 EPA Act – whether decision is ultra vires – whether relevant considerations taken into account – whether time for complying with condition of Gateway Decision renders planning proposal ultra vires – whether denial of procedural fairness Legislation Cited: Bega Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013 (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) ss 56, 58 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) ss 3.31(3), 3.34, 3.35(1), 3.36(2); ss 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59(2) (former numbering) Government Sector Employment Act 2013 (NSW) ss 20, 22, 23, 25, 26 Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW) ss 16, 20 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) rr 59.3, 59.10 Cases Cited: Anglican Church Property Trust Diocese of Sydney v Camden Council [2021] NSWLEC 118 Blatch v Archer (1774) 1 Cowp 63; 98 ER 969 Boensch v Pascoe (2019) 268 CLR 593; [2019] HCA 49 Calardu Penrith Pty Ltd v Penrith City Council [2010] NSWLEC 50 Council of the City of Ryde v Azizi (2021) 248 LGERA 204; [2021] NSWCA 165 Davis v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2021] FCAFC 213; (2021) 288 FCR 23 DCM20 v Secretary, Department of Home Affairs [2020] FCA 1022 Duarte v Waverley Council [2022] NSWLEC 53 Katter v Melhem (2015) 90 NSWLR 164; [2015] NSWCA 213 Kuru v State of New South Wales (2008) 236 CLR 1; [2008] HCA 26 Lesnewski v Mosman Municipal Council [2005] NSWCA 99; (2005) 138 LGERA Mangoola Coal Operations v Muswellbrook Shire Council [2023] NSWSC 262 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1986) 162 CLR 24 Minister for Local Government v South Sydney City Council (2002) 55 NSWLR 381; (2002) 123 LGERA 367; [2002] NSWCA 288 Moorebank Recyclers Pty Ltd v Tanlane Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 97 Ocean Shores Community Association Inc v Byron Shire Council (No 3) [2015] NSWLEC 171 Pheeney v Doolan (No 2) [1977] 1 NSWLR 601 Prince Alfred College Inc v ADC [2016] 258 CLR 134; [2016] HCA 37 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355; [1998] HCA 28 SZTAL v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2017) 262 CLR 362 Tugun Cobaki Alliance Inc v Minister for Planning [2006] NSWLEC 396 Texts Cited: M Aronson, M Groves, G Weeks, Judicial Review of Administrative Action and Government Liability (7th ed, 2021) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Boydtown Pty Ltd (First Applicant) Boydtown Pastoral Pty Ltd (Second Applicant) Minister for Planning and Public Spaces (First Respondent) Bega Valley Shire Council (Second Respondent) Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment (Third Respondent) Representation: Counsel: A Galasso SC with J Mack (First and Second Applicants) K Lindemann (First and Third Respondents) A Pearman (Second Respondent) Solicitors: Harris Freidman Lawyers (First and Second Applicants) Department of Planning and Environment, Legal Services (First and Third Respondents) Madison Marcus (Second Respondent) File Number(s): 2021/236704 Publication restriction: Nil