Styles v Wollondilly Shire Council [2001] NSWLEC 18

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Styles v Wollondilly Shire Council [2001] NSWLEC 18 APPLICANT PARTIES : Lynette Mary Styles RESPONDENT Wollondilly Shire Council FILE NUMBER(S) : 40153 of 1999 CORAM: Sheahan J Local Government :- confidentiality of documents - access of councillors to information - closure of meetings to the public - questions of order at meetings - expulsion of councillors from meetings of Council and its committees - minutes of meetings KEY ISSUES: Injunctions and Declarations - privative clauses - discretion - power to award "general damages" if discretion exercised to grant declaratory relief LEGISLATION CITED: Local Government Act 1993 Local Government (Meetings) Regulation 1993 Darling Casino Ltd v NSW Casino Control Authority & Ors (1997) 191 CLR 602; Drummoyne Municipal Council v Marshall (1989) 68 LGRA 258; Gardiner & Anor v Hornsby Council [2000] NSWLEC 37; Hacienda Apartments Pty Ltd v Vago (Young J, 19 May 1998); Hickman v Snowy River Shire Council (1998) 100 LGERA 71; Nix & Dunn v Pittwater Council (1994) 84 LGERA 199; NTL Australasia Pty Ltd v Minister for Land & Water Conservation [2001] NSWLEC 5; CASES CITED: R v Hickman Ex parte Fox (1945) 70 CLR 595; Ryde City Council v Echt & Anor [2000] NSWCA 108; Sankey v Whitlam (1978) 142 CLR 1; Sericott v Snowy River Shire Council (1998) 100 LGERA 71; Styles v Wollondilly Shire Council [1999] NSWLEC 210; Sullivan v Casino Municipal Council & Anor [1973] 2 NSWLR 708 ; Warringah Council v Edmondson & Ors [2001] NSWCA 1; Wherry v Sisters of Charity [2000] NSWLEC 252; Wilcox v Kogarah Golf Club Ltd (Young J, 23 November 1995) DATES OF HEARING: 23/07/1999, 26/07/1999, 11/02/2000, 10-11/04/2000, 24-25/07/2000, DATE OF JUDGMENT: 03/01/2001