Barstow v Ainsworth [2023] NSWLEC 1442

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Barstow v Ainsworth [2023] NSWLEC 1442 Hearing dates: 26 April 2023 Date of orders: 15 August 2023 Decision date: 15 August 2023 Jurisdiction: Class 2 Before: Douglas AC Decision: The Court orders are: (1) See orders at [140]. Catchwords: TREES (DISPUTES BETWEEN NEIGHBOURS) – current and future damage to property claimed – no likely damage in near future – high hedges – severe obstruction of sunlight to windows claimed – obstruction of sunlight to one window is severe Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Heritage Act 1977 Native Vegetation Act 2003 Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006, Pt 2 ss 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 Pt 2A ss14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F Cases Cited: Gardiner v Bisley [2021] NSWLEC 1176 Granger v Owners Corporation SP 18494 [2012] NSWLEC 1285 Haindl v v Daisch [2011] NSWLEC 1145 Johnson v Angus [2012] NSWLEC 192 McDougall v Philip [2011] NSWLEC 1280 Tenacity Consulting v Warringah (2004) 134 LGERA 23; [2004] NSWLEC 140 Tooth v McCombie [2011] NSWLEC 1004 Wedes v Fong [2019] NSWLEC 1183 Wisdom v Payn [2011] NSWLEC 1012 Yang v Scerri [2007] NSWLEC 592 Texts Cited: AS4373:2007 Pruning of amenity trees Lake Macquarie Development Control Plan 2014 NSW Department of Justice and Attorney General, Review of the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006, November 2009 Safe Work Australia, Guide to Managing Risks of Tree Trimming and Removal Work, 2016 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Melanie Jane Barstow (Applicant) Edward John Ainsworth (First Respondent) Ruth Shirley Ainsworth (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J Reid (Applicant) P Jayne (Solicitor) (Respondents)