Hornsby Shire Council v Vitone Developments Pty Limited [2003] NSWLEC 272

> Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Hornsby Shire Council v Vitone Developments Pty Limited [2003] NSWLEC 272 PARTIES : Hornsby Shire Council (Appl) Vitone Developments Pty Limited (Resp) FILE NUMBER(S) : 40500 of 2003 CORAM: McClellan CJ Development Application - Judicial Review :- Whether species impact statement required Whether development consent void due to absence of jurisdictional fact Whether endangered ecological community existed on site Construction of Final Determination of Scientific Community Conflicting methodologies of expert witnesses KEY ISSUES: Whether council estopped from challenging validity of consent Whether s 101 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act a bar to proceedings Whether s 101 is privative clause which does not operate to prevent challenge on ground of jurisdictional error Uncertainty of Final Determination Discussion of consequences of criminal offences in relation to endangered ecological communities Problems for ordinary citizen in identifying community Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 LEGISLATION CITED: Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 Baulkham Hills Shire Council v Cosmopolitan Homes No 2 Pty Ltd (1986) 61; Breitkopf v Wyong Council (1996) 90 LGERA 269); Brickworks Limited v The Council of the Shire of Warringah (1963) 108 CLR 568; Canterbury Municipal Council v Perri (1982) 47 LGRA 111; Coffs Harbour Shire Council v Ben Hall Industries Pty Ltd (1983) 48 LGRA 391; Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning (1996) 90 LGERA 341; Egan v Hawkesbury City Council (1993) 79 LGERA 321; F N Eckold Pty Ltd v Auburn Municipal Council (1975) 34 LGRA 114; Greenpeace Australia v Redbank Power Co (1994) 86 LGERA 143 ; Hawkesbury City Council & Anor v Sammut (2002) 119 LGRA 171.; Hillpalm Pty Ltd v Heaven's Door Pty Ltd (2002) 55 NSWLR 446; Holidays A-Float Pty Ltd v Hornsby Shire Council (1992) 75 LGRA 127; CASES CITED: Jurkovic v City of Port Adelaide (1979) 41 LGRA 71; Leatch v National Parks & Wildlife Service & Anor (1993) 81 LGERA 270; Nicholls v Director-General of National Parks and Wildlife (1994) 84 LGERA 397; Plaintiff 5157/2002 v Commonwealth of Australia (2003) 195 ALR 24; Plumb v Penrith City Council (2002) NSWLEC 223; Proudman v Dayman (1941) 67 CLR 536; R v Hickman; Ex parte Fox and Clinton [1945] 70 CLR 598); Rockdale Municipal Council v Duffy Bros Pty Ltd (1974) 29 LGRA 279; Sericott v Snowy River Council (1999) 108 LGERA 66; Timbarra Protection Coalition v Ross Mining NL (1999) 46 NSLWR 55; Trimboli v Penrith City Council (1981) 48 LGRA 323; Vanmeld Pty Ltd v Fairfield City Council (1999) 46 NSWLR 78; 101 LGERA 297; VAW (Kurri Kurri) Pty Ltd v Scientific Committee (Established under s 127 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995) [2003] NSWCA 297; Warringah Shire Council v Sedevcic (1987) 10 NSWLR 335 DATES OF HEARING: 22-26 September 2003 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 11/11/2003