Sydney Metro v G & J Drivas Pty Ltd [2024] NSWCA 5

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Sydney Metro v G & J Drivas Pty Ltd [2024] NSWCA 5 Hearing dates: 16 November 2023 Date of orders: 1 February 2024 Decision date: 01 February 2024 Before: Payne JA at [1]; Kirk JA at [2]; Griffiths AJA at [125] Decision: (1) Appeal allowed. (2) Cross-appeal dismissed. (3) The orders made by the Land and Environment Court on 29 May 2023 are set aside. (4) The matter is remitted to the Land and Environment Court for compensation to be assessed according to law. (5) The respondents/cross-appellants are to pay the costs of the appellant/cross-respondent on the appeal and cross-appeal. Catchwords: COMPULSORY ACQUISITION — Compulsory acquisition of land — Compensation — Construction of s 56(1)(a) of Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW) — Determination of market value — Decrease in land value claimed to be caused by public purpose — Statutory disregard — Owners advised of acquisition 17 months prior to acquisition and slowed then stopped development work — Issue of causation to be understood in statutory context — Strain on causal attribution where choices made by owners — Causal issue is re effects of public purpose not of acquisition — Potential for windfall to owners — Effects on value caused only by choices by owners because of possibility of the land being acquired not within s 56(1)(a) COMPULSORY ACQUISITION — Compensation — Disturbance — Construction of s 59(1)(f) of Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW) — Stamp duty and mortgage costs only claimable as disturbance under ss 59(1)(d) and (e) Legislation Cited: Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW) ss 3-4, 10, 13-14, 37, 54-56, 59, 61 Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 (Vic) s 43(1)(a) Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW) s 57(1) Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) Public Works Act 1912 (NSW) s 124 Transport Administration Act 1988 (NSW) Cases Cited: All Seasons Air Pty Ltd v Regal Consulting Services Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCA 289 Allianz Australia v GSF Australia (2005) 221 CLR 568; [2005] HCA 26 Blacktown City Council v Fitzpatrick [2001] NSWCA 259 Blacktown City Council v Lasseter [1996] NSWCA 51 Bob Brown Foundation Inc v Commonwealth (2021) 283 FCR 225; [2021] FCAFC 5 Coleman v Power (2004) 220 CLR 1; [2004] HCA 39 Comcare v Martin (2016) 258 CLR 467; [2016] HCA 43 Council of the City of Ryde v Azizi [2019] NSWSC 1605 CSR Limited v Eddy (2005) 226 CLR 1; [2005] HCA 64 Fitzpatrick Investments Pty Ltd v Blacktown City Council (No 2) (2000) 108 LGERA 417; [2000] NSWLEC 139 Griffith City Council v Polegato (1990) 20 NSWLR 696 Housing Commission of NSW v San Sebastian Pty Ltd (1978) 140 CLR 196; [1978] HCA 28 Kostas v HIA Insurance Services Pty Limited (2010) 241 CLR 390; [2010] HCA 32 Leichhardt Council v Roads & Traffic Authority (NSW) (2006) 149 LGERA 439; [2006] NSWCA 353 Love v Roads Corporation (2014) 200 LGERA 76; [2014] VSCA 30 Melino v Roads and Maritime Services (2018) 98 NSWLR 625; [2018] NSWCA 99 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs v Nystrom (2006) 228 CLR 566; [2006] HCA 50 Nelungaloo Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1948) 75 CLR 75; [1947] HCA 58 Pointe Gourde Quarrying and Transport Co Ltd v Sub-Intendent of Crown Lands [1947] AC 565 RD Miller Pty Ltd v Roads and Maritime Services NSW (2020) 103 NSWLR 234; [2020] NSWCA 241 Roads and Maritime Services (NSW) v United Petroleum Pty Ltd (2019) 99 NSWLR 279; [2019] NSWCA 41 Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW) v Mosca (2006) 146 LGERA 335; [2006] NSWCA 159 Travel Compensation Fund v Robert Tambree t/as R Tambree and Associates (2005) 224 CLR 627; [2005] HCA 69 Turner v Minister of Public Instruction (1956) 95 CLR 245; [1956] HCA 7 Walker Corp Pty Ltd v Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (2008) 233 CLR 259; [2008] HCA 5 Wallace v Kam (2013) 250 CLR 375; [2013] HCA 19 Woollams v The Minister (1957) 75 WN (NSW) 103 Yates Property Corporation Pty Ltd (In Liq) v Darling Harbour Authority (1991) 24 NSWLR 156 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Sydney Metro (Appellant) G & J Drivas Pty Ltd (First Respondent) Telado Pty Ltd (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: N Hutley SC with M Astill (Appellant) A Galasso SC with L Waterson (First and Second Respondents)