Wehbe v Pittwater Council [2007] NSWLEC 827

Reported Decision : 156 LGERA 446

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Wehbe v Pittwater Council [2007] NSWLEC 827

APPLICANT Joe Wehbe PARTIES : RESPONDENT Pittwater Council

FILE NUMBER(S) : 10744 of 2006

CORAM: Preston CJ

KEY ISSUES: Development Application :- subdivision of residential land - breach of development standard prescribing minimum allotment size - applicant justified departure by reliance on existing use rights and SEPP 1 objection - subdivision itself is not use of land and does not effect a change in use - subdivision application therefore does not involve change from existing use to another use - development standard for subdivision does not derogate from incorporated provision allowing for change from an existing use to another use - SEPP 1 objection therefore necessary to be able to consent to subdivision - requirements to uphold SEPP 1 subdivision discussed - ways of establishing that compliance unreasonable or unnecessary discussed - SEPP 1 objection not well-founded in circumstances of the case - development consent refused

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 4, s 81A, s 97, s 106 LEGISLATION CITED: Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 cl 11(2), cl 41(1) Land and Environment Court Act 1979 s 39(6)

Auburn Municipal Council v F N Eckold Pty Ltd [1974] 2 NSWLR 148 affirmed (1975) 34 LGERA 114; Bowen v Willoughby City Council [2001] NSWLEC 274 (4 December 2001); City West Housing Pty Ltd v Sydney City Council (1999) 110 LGERA 262; Colvest No. 27 Pty Ltd v Hastings Municipal Council, unreported, LEC No 10617 of 1986, 22 March 1988, Cripps J; Customs and Excise Commissioner v Viva Gas Appliances Ltd [1983] 1 WLR 1445; [1984] 1 All ER 112; Daniel v Manly Municipal Council (1975) 34 LGRA 14; Design 23 Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2003) 125 LGERA 380; Drummoyne Municipal Council v Lebnan (1974) 131 CLR 350; Fastbuck$ v Byron Shire Council (1999) 103 LGERA 94; Gergely & Pinter v Woollahra Municipal Council (1984) 52 LGRA 400; CASES CITED: Hooker Corporation Pty Ltd v Hornsby Shire Council (1986) 130 LGERA 438; Hooker-Rex Estates v Hornsby Shire Council, unreported, LEC No 10506 of 1982, 27 July 1983, Bignold J; Leighton Properties Pty Ltd v North Sydney Council (1998) 98 LGERA 382; Legal and General Life of Australia Ltd v North Sydney Municipal Council (1989) 68 LGRA 192; Lyne v Moree Plains Shire Council (1999) 110 LGERA 120; Memel Holdings Pty Ltd v Pittwater Council (2000) 110 LGERA 217; Nancy Shetland Pty Ltd v Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (1974) 34 LGRA 151; North Shore Gas Co. Pty Ltd v North Sydney Municipal Council, unreported, LEC No 10185 of 1986, 15 September 1986, Stein J; North Sydney Municipal Council v Parlby, unreported, LEC No. 10613 of 1985, 13 November 1986, Stein J; SCMP Properties Pty Limited v North Sydney Municipal Council (1983) 130 LGERA 351; Smith v Randwick Municipal Council (1950) 17 LGR (NSW) 246; Winten Property Group Ltd v North Sydney Council (2001) 130 LGERA 79