Caruana v Port Macquarie-Hastings Council [2007] NSWLEC 109

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Caruana v Port Macquarie-Hastings Council [2007] NSWLEC 109

31558 of 2005 and 31568 of 2005

APPLICANTS: Michael Caruana & Kay Simmons RESPONDENT: Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

31549 of 2005

PARTIES : APPLICANT: Barbara Ayton RESPONDENT: Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

31557 of 2005

APPLICANT: Owners of Strata Plan 12292 RESPONDENT: Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

FILE NUMBER(S) : 31558 and 31568; 31549; 31557 of 2005

CORAM: Biscoe J

KEY ISSUES: Compulsory Acquisition of Land :- Compensation:- capitalisation of rents methodology - whether permissible to take into account pre-acquisition offer to rent subject property in a claim under Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW) - admissibility of offers when determining value - loss attributable to disturbance as defined in s 59 - whether pre-acquisition rental losses are financial costs, relating to the actual use of the land, as a direct and natural consequence of the acquisition within s 59(f) - whether pre-acquisition legal and valuation costs are financial costs incurred in connection with the compulsory acquisition of the land within s 55(a) and (b)

LEGISLATION CITED: Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW) ss 54, 55, 56, 59, 70

Blefari v The Minister (1962) 8 LGRA 1; Brimbank City Council v Keilor Homes Pty Ltd (2006) 148 LGERA 24 ; Chen v Karandonis [2002] NSWCA 412; Cordelia Holdings Pty Ltd v Newkey Investments Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 48; Director of Buildings and Lands v Shun Fung Ironworks Ltd [1995] 2 AC 111; Fitzgerald v Blacktown City Council (NSWLEC, 28 March 1994, unreported); Fitzpatrick Investments Pty Ltd v Blacktown City Council (No 2) (2000) 108 LGERA 417; Goold & Rootsey v Commonwealth (1993) 42 FCR 51; Henderson v Amadio Pty Ltd (No 1) (1995) 62 FCR 1; Hustlers Pty Ltd v Valuer General (1967) 14 LGRA 269; King v Minister for Planning and Housing (1991) 76 LGERA 288; Lasermax Engineering Pty Ltd v QBE Insurance (Aust) Ltd [2005] NSWCA 66; March v Stramare (1991) 171 CLR 506; CASES CITED: McDonald v Deputy Federal Commissioner of Land Tax (NSW) (1915) 20 CLR 231; Mir Bros Unit Constructions Pty v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales [2004] NSWLEC 612; MMAL Rentals Pty Ltd v Bruning (2004) 63 NSWLR 167; N Stephenson Pty Ltd v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales (1994) 83 LGERA 248; Overton Investments Pty Ltd v Minister Administering the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (NSWLEC 24 December 1998 unreported); (2001) 113 LGERA 439; Palmer Bruyn & Parker Pty Ltd v Parsons (2001) 185 ALR 280; Peter Croke Holdings Pty Ltd v Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (1998) 101 LGERA 30; Phillipou v Housing Commission (1969) 18 LGRA 254; Sheath v Valuer General (1963) 10 LGRA 20; Spencer v Commonwealth (1907) 5 CLR 418; State Bank of NSW v Blacktown City Council (NSWLEC 30 September 1994 unreported); Stockl v Rigura Pty Ltd [2004] ANZ ConvR 265; Walker Corporation Pty Ltd v Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (2004) 136 LGERA 164; Western Australian Planning Commission v Arcus Shopfitters Pty Ltd [2003] WASCA 295