Ulan Coal Mines Limited v Minister for Planning and Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Limited [2008] NSWLEC 185

Reported Decision : (2008) 160 LGERA 20

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Ulan Coal Mines Limited v Minister for Planning and Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Limited [2008] NSWLEC 185

APPLICANT Ulan Coal Mines Limited

PARTIES : FIRST RESPONDENT Minister for Planning

SECOND RESPONDENT Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Limited

FILE NUMBER(S) : 41221 of 2007

CORAM: Preston CJ

KEY ISSUES: Judicial Review :- approval of coal mining project - uncertainty as to availability of water supply for project - condition of approval to ensure sufficient water for project and if necessary adjust scale of mining operations to match water supply - whether condition within power - whether condition lacked certainty or finality or may result in significantly different development - whether decision to approve project manifestly unreasonable

LEGISLATION CITED: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Pt 3A, Pt 4, Pt 5, s 75F, s 75G, s 75I, s 75J, s 80, s 80A

Anderson v Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (2006) 151 LGERA 229 Belmorgan Property Development Pty Ltd v GPT Re Ltd & Anor (2007) 153 LGERA 450 Cann's Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1946) 71 CLR 210 Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council (2006) 148 LGERA 278 Genkem Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1994) 35 NSWLR 33; 85 LGERA 197 GPT Re Limited v Wollongong City Council (2006) 151 LGERA 116 Hurstville City Council v Renaldo Plus 3 Pty Ltd [2006] NSWCA 248 (8 September 2006) Kindimindi Investments Pty Ltd v Lane Cove Council (2006) 143 LGERA 277 CASES CITED: King Gee Clothing Co Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1945) 71 CLR 184 Mid Western Community Action Group Inc v Mid-Western Regional Council & Stockland Development Pty Ltd [2007] NSWLEC 411 (18 July 2007) Mison v Randwick Municipal Council (1991) 23 NSWLR 734 Qiu v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1994) 55 FCR 439 Scott v Wollongong City Council (1992) 75 LGRA 112 Telstra Corp Ltd v Hornsby Shire Council (2006) 67 NSWLR 256; 146 LGERA 10 Transport Action Group Against Motorways v Roads and Traffic Authority (1999) 46 NSWLR 598 Warehouse Group (Australia) Pty Ltd v Woolworths Ltd (2005) 141 LGERA 376 Westfield Management Ltd v Perpetual Trustee Company Ltd [2006] NSWCA 245 (8 September 2006) Winn v Director-General of National Parks and Wildlife (2001) 130 LGERA 508