Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group Incorporated (INC2200560) v MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd and Anor [2024] NSWLEC 86

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group Incorporated (INC2200560) v MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd and Anor [2024] NSWLEC 86 Hearing dates: 7 to 10 November 2023 Date of orders: 19 August 2024 Decision date: 19 August 2024 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Robson J Decision: See orders at [253] Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW — Challenge to the grant of a development consent by the Independent Planning Commission ('Commission') for an extension of an existing coal mine — Whether failure to consider mandatory considerations — Whether failure to consider specific conditions aimed at minimising to the greatest extent possible greenhouse gas emissions — Whether failure to consider cl 2.20(1) of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Resources and Energy) 2021 — Whether failure to assess downstream (Scope 3) emissions — Whether failure to consider likely impacts of downstream (Scope 3) emissions — Whether engaged in irrational or illogical form of reasoning when proceeding on the basis that "accounting" of Scope 3 emissions will be undertaken by the downstream consumer country — Whether failure to consider likely impacts of Scope 3 emissions in its assessment of public interest — Whether engaged in illogical or irrational form of reasoning when stating that, without the conditions that have been imposed on the development consent, the development proposal would warrant refusal — Whether conditions imposed were merely hypothetical — Whether failure to consider submissions in relation to climate change impacts — Whether misconstruction of s 4.63(3)(a) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) when determining what would have been carried out but for the surrender of the existing consent — Whether deferred or delegated consideration of impact of proposed development on newly discovered species of lizard — Whether failure to adhere to standard of reasonableness when assessing air quality impact and social impact — Amended summons dismissed Legislation Cited: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), Pt 4, Div 4.7, ss 2.9, 4,15, 4.17, 4.36, 4.38, 4.40, 4.50, 4.63, Sch 1, Pt 1, cl 20 Land and Environment Court Rules 2007 (NSW), r 4.2 State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) 2007, cl 14 State Environmental Planning Policy (Resources and Energy) 2021, cl 2.20 Cases Cited: ABT17 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2020) 269 CLR 439; [2020] HCA 34 Applicant WAEE v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2003) 236 FCR 593; [2003] FCAFC 184 Barrington - Gloucester - Stroud Preservation Alliance Inc v Minister for Planning and Infrastructure [2012] NSWLEC 197; (2012) 194 LGERA 113 Bunderra Holdings Pty Ltd v Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter Pty Ltd (subject to Deed of Company Arrangement) (2017) 96 NSWLR 434; [2017] NSWCA 263 Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action Incorporated v Narrabri Coal Operations Pty Ltd [2023] NSWLEC 69 Ceerose Pty Ltd v A-Civil Aust Pty Ltd (2023) 112 NSWLR 225; [2023] NSWCA 215 DVO16 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2021) 273 CLR 177; [2021] HCA 12 Foster v Minister for Customs and Justice (2000) 200 CLR 442; [2000] HCA 38 Gloucester Resources Ltd v Minister for Planning [2019] NSWLEC 7; (2019) 234 LGERA 257 Kepco Bylong Australia Pty Ltd v Bylong Valley Protection Alliance Inc [2021] NSWCA 216 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1986) 162 CLR 24; [1986] HCA 40 Minister for Immigration and Border Protection v Stretton (2016) 237 FCR 1; [2016] FCAFC 11 Minister for Immigration and Border Protection v SZMTA (2019) 264 CLR 421; [2019] HCA 3 Minister for Immigration and Border Protection v SZVFW (2018) 264 CLR 541; [2018] HCA 30 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v Li (2013) 249 CLR 332; [2013] HCA 18 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZMDS (2010) 240 CLR 611; [2010] HCA 16 Minister for Planning v Walker [2008] NSWCA 224; (2008) 161 LGERA 423 Minister for the Environment v Sharma (2022) 291 FCR 311; [2022] FCAFC 35 Mison v Randwick Municipal Council (1991) 23 NSWLR 734; (1991) 73 LGRA 349 Mullaley Gas and Pipeline Accord Inc v Santos NSW (Eastern) Pty Ltd [2021] NSWLEC 110; (2021) 252 LGERA 221 Parramatta City Council v Hale (1982) 47 LGRA 319 Phosphate Resources Ltd v Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (No 2) [2008] FCA 1521; (2008) 162 LGERA 154 Plaintiff M1/2021 v Minister for Home Affairs (2022) 275 CLR 582; [2022] HCA 17 Singh v Minister for Home Affairs (2019) 267 FCR 200; [2019] FCAFC 3 Snowy Monaro Regional Council v Tropic Asphalts Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCCA 202; (2018) 362 ALR 359 South East Forest Rescue Incorporated v Bega Valley Shire Council and South East Fibre Exports Pty Ltd [2011] NSWLEC 250; (2011) 211 LGERA 1 The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd v Australian Competition Tribunal (2012) 246 CLR 379; [2012] HCA 36 Ulan Coal Mines Limited v Minister for Planning and Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Limited [2008] NSWLEC 185; (2008) 160 LGERA 20 Warkworth Mining Limited v Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association Inc (2014) 86 NSWLR 527; [2014] NSWCA 105 Westfield Management Limited v Perpetual Trustee Company Limited [2006] NSWCA 245 Zhang v Canterbury City Council (2001) 51 NSWLR 589; [2001] NSWCA 167 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group Incorporated (INC2200560) (Applicant) MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd (First Respondent) Independent Planning Commission of NSW (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: N L Sharp SC with L Sims and M Thompson (Applicant) S J Free SC with D Hume (First Respondent) Submitting appearance (Second Respondent)