Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd v Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning & Or [2000] NSWLEC 20

Reported Decision : (2000) 107 LGERA 363

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd v Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning & Or [2000] NSWLEC 20 APPLICANT Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd PARTIES : RESPONDENT Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning & Or FILE NUMBER(S) : 40149 of 1999 CORAM: Cowdroy J KEY ISSUES: Environmental Planning Instruments :- local environmental plan - development control plan - affordable housing scheme - contribution required by local environmental plan for affordable housing as a condition to development consent in designated locality known as Green Square either by allocation of floor space or cash contribution - no compensation - purpose of affordable housing inconsistent with objectives of EP&A Act and of Pt 4 Div 6 - contribution not constituting a tax but invalid as fundamental interference proprietary rights and unreasonable in Wednesbury sense - invalid provisions not severable rendering the whole of the LEP and DCP invalid LEGISLATION CITED: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 5, s 24, s 26, s 69, s 70, s 80, s 80A, s 94 Interpretation Act 1987 1987 s 3, s 33 Rockdale v Tandel Corporation Pty Limited (1975) 34 LGRA 196; The State of South Australia v Tanner & Others (1989) 166 CLR 161; Westminster City Council v Great Portland Estates Plc [1985] AC 661; Building Owners and Managers Association of Australia Ltd v Sydney City Council (1984) 53 LGRA 54; Regina v Westminister City Council Ex parte Monahan & Anor [1990] 1 QB 87 (CA); Woollahra Municipal Council v Minister for the Environment (1991) 23 NSWLR 710; Fitch v Shoalhaven City Council; Morton v The Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (1951) 83 CLR 402; Greek Australian Finance Corporation Pty Ltd v Sydney City Council (1972-74) 29 LGRA 130; Allen Commercial Constructions Pty Limited v The Council of the Municipality of North Sydney (1970) 123 CLR 490; Mixnan's Properties Ltd v Chertsey Urban District Council [1964] 1 QB 214; CASES CITED: Pyx Granite Co. Ltd. V. Ministry of Housing and Local Government [ 1958] 1 Q.B. 554; Big Country Developments v Penrith City Council (Pearlman J, NSWLEC, 8 December 1997); Darling Casino Ltd v Minister for Planning and Sydney Harbour Casino Pty Ltd (1995) 86 LGERA 186; Franklins Limited v Penrith City Council and Campbells Cash & Carry Pty. Limited ([1999] NSWCA 134, NSW Court of Appeal, unreported 13 May 1999, ; Currey v Sutherland Shire Council (1998) 100 LGERA 365; Hall & Co Ltd v Shoreham-by-Sea Urban District Council & Anor [1964] 1 WLR 240; Regina v Hillingdon London Borough Council Ex parte Royco Homes Ltd [1974] 1 QB 721; Belfast Corporation v O.D. Cars Ltd. [1960] AC 490; Airservices Australia v Polaris Holding Company [1999] HCA 62; MacCormick v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1983-1984) 158 CLR 622; Northern Suburbs General Cemetery Reserve Trust v The Commonwealth of Australia (1992-1993) 176 CLR 555; Harper v Minister for Sea Fisheries & Ors (1989-90) 168 CLR 314; Air Caledonie International v Commonwealth (1988) 165 CLR 462 DATES OF HEARING: 20/12/99, 21/12/99, 22/12/99 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 02/18/2000