Whites Beach Investments Pty Ltd v Byron Shire Council [2024] NSWLEC 75

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Whites Beach Investments Pty Ltd v Byron Shire Council [2024] NSWLEC 75 Hearing dates: 20 May, 19 June 2024 Date of orders: 25 July 2024 Decision date: 25 July 2024 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Pain J Decision: The Court declares: (1) Development consent to Development Application dated 16 October 1978 for the erection of a country dwelling at Lot 334 Riverside Crescent, Brunswick Heads (being Lot 334 in Deposited Plan 755692) issued by the Respondent on 6 November 1978 was physically commenced before 1 September 1982 in accordance with s 99(1)(a)(i) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) (as then in force). The Court orders: (1) Prayer 3 of the summons dated 2 February 2024 is stood over to 1 August 2024 or until further order of the Court. (2) Costs reserved. Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW – whether development consent has lapsed – whether evidence establishes physical commencement – whether declaration appropriate where no contradictor Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), s 99 (repealed) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 144 Local Government Act 1919 (NSW) (repealed) Miscellaneous Acts (Planning) Repeal and Amendment Act 1979 (NSW), s 2, Sch 3 cll 1, 7 (repealed) Interim Development Order No 1 – Shire of Byron 1968 (NSW) Cases Cited: Ashfield Municipal Council v Armstrong (2002) 122 LGERA 105; [2002] NSWCA 269 Gattellaro v Westpac Banking Corporation (2004) 78 ALJR 394; [2004] HCA 6 Iron Gates Developments Pty Ltd v Richmond-Evans Environmental Society Inc (1992) 81 LGERA 132 JMS Capital Pty Ltd v Tweed Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 535 Minister for Natural Resources v New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (1987) 9 NSWLR 154 Norlex Holdings Pty Ltd v Wingecarribee Shire Council (2010) 177 LGERA 261; [2010] NSWLEC 149 PAG Services Pty Ltd v Byron Shire Council [2023] NSWLEC 40 Smith v Wyong Shire Council [2008] NSWLEC 115 Stephen Bowers Architects Pty Limited v Waverley Council (2003) 125 LGERA 292; [2003] NSWLEC 16 Williams v Coffs Harbour City Council (2007) 155 LGERA 344; [2007] NSWLEC 440 Zaymill Pty Ltd v Ryde City Council [2009] NSWLEC 86 Texts Cited: Macquarie Dictionary, online ed, accessed July 2024 Oxford English Dictionary, online ed, accessed July 2024 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Whites Beach Investments Pty Ltd (Applicant) Byron Shire Council (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: F Berglund (Applicant) N/A (Respondent)