Marina Bay Developments Pty Limited v Pittwater Council [2007] NSWLEC 41

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Marina Bay Developments Pty Limited v Pittwater Council [2007] NSWLEC 41

APPLICANT: Marina Bay Developments Pty Limited PARTIES : RESPONDENT: Pittwater Council

FILE NUMBER(S) : 10447 of 2006

CORAM: Lloyd J

KEY ISSUES: Appeal :- s 56A of the Land and Environment Court Act 1979 – question of law – meaning of "contribute to" the quality and identity of the area – a State of Environmental Planning Policy is subordinate legislation and should not be construed in a strict or over-technical way but rather in a practical, reasonable and commonsense way – construction should meet the aims of the Policy – words of the Policy must be read in context – strict approach to interpretation not appropriate for subordinate legislation – the appeal court should not adopt a "fine-tooth comb" approach to decisions of lay commissioners – the words used in the decision should not be examined in an overly critical and pernickety way – determining relevant "area" involves its application in the particular context – no error of law found

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 25(3) Land and Environment Court Act 1979 s 56A LEGISLATION CITED: Seniors Living Policy: Urban Design Guideline for Infill Development State Environmental Planning Policy (Seniors Living) 2004 cll 2, 29, 30, 31, 79 State Environmental Planning Policy No. 5 – Housing for Older People or People with a Disability (superseded)

Azzopardi v Tasman UEB Industries Ltd (1985) 4 NSWLR 139; Brimbella Pty Ltd v Mosman Municipal Council (1985) 79 LGERA 367 ; Carstens v Pittwater Council (1999) 111 LGERA 1; Design 23 Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2003) 125 LGERA 380; Driscoll v J Scott Pty Ltd (1976) 50 ALJR 528 ; Gill v Donald Humberstone & Co Ltd [1963] 3 All ER 180; [1963] 1 WLR 929; GPC No. 5 (Wombarra) Pty Ltd v Wollongong City Council (2003) 131 LGERA 383; GTAA Pty Ltd v South Sydney City Council (2001) 117 LGERA 51; CASES CITED: Hecar Investments No. 6 Pty Ltd v Lake Macquarie Municipal Council (1984) 53 LGRA 322; Katoomba Gospel Trust v Blue Mountains City Council (1993) 130 LGERA 266; K Richardson & Associates Pty Ltd v Yarrowlumla Shire Council (2002) 122 LGERA 189; Newcastle City Council v Kermir Pty Ltd (1989) 69 LGRA 289; North Sydney Municipal Council v Lycenko & Associates Pty Ltd (1988) 67 LGRA 247; Page v Parkes Shire Council (1991) 72 LGRA 97 ; Port Stephens Shire Council v Chan Industrial Pty Ltd (2005) 141 LGERA 226; Randall Pty Ltd v Willoughby City Council (2005) 144 LGERA 119; Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247