McNeill v Clarence Valley Council [2024] NSWLEC 85

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: McNeill v Clarence Valley Council [2024] NSWLEC 85 Hearing dates: 16 August 2024 Date of orders: 16 August 2024 Decision date: 16 August 2024 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Pritchard J Decision: The Court makes the following orders: (1) Proceedings 2024/261604 (Class 4) are dismissed with costs, including the costs of Council's notice of motion in those proceedings heard 16 August 2024, as agreed or assessed. (2) No order as to costs of proceedings 2024/230994 (Class 3), including in relation to the costs of the notice of motion in those proceedings heard on 16 August 2024. Catchwords: NOTICE OF MOTION — application for dismissal of claims — r 13.4 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) — frivolous and vexatious proceedings — no reasonable cause of action disclosed COSTS — r 3.7 of the Land and Environment Court Rules 2007 (NSW) — whether fair and reasonable to make a costs order COSTS — r 4.2 of the Land and Environment Court Rules 2007 (NSW) — whether public interest litigation — countervailing considerations Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) ss 4.15, 8.7, 9.45 Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW) s 20 Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) s 733 Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 (NSW) s 6 State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 (NSW) Clarence Valley Local Environmental Plan 2011 (NSW) cll 5.21, 5.22 Land and Environment Court Rules 2007 (NSW) rr 3.7, 4.2 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) rr 12.1, 13.4, 42.1, 42.19 Cases Cited: Caroona Coal Action Group Inc v Coal Mines Australia Pty Limited and Minister for Mineral Resources (No 3) (2010) LGERA 280; [2010] NSWLEC 59 Co-ownership Land Development Pty Ltd v Queensland Estates Pty Ltd (1973) 1 ALR 201; 47 ALJR 519 Cox v Journeaux (No 2) (1935) 52 CLR 713; [1935] HCA 8 El Khouri v Gemaveld Pty Ltd (2023) 245 LGERA 24; [2023] NSWCA 78 Engadine Area Traffic Action Group Inc v Sutherland Shire Council (No 2) (2004) 126 LGERA 365; [2004] NSWLEC 434 Joseph v Kiama Municipal Council and Ors [2023] NSWLEC 148 Mutual Life & Citizens Assurance Co Ltd v Evatt (1970) 122 CLR 628; [1971] 1 All ER 150 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Craigh McNeill (Applicant, Respondent on the motions) Clarence Valley Council (Respondent, Applicant on the motions) Representation: Mr McNeill appeared in person by audiovisual link