MUCKLE v ANDERSON & ANOR [2002] NSWCA 283

Reported Decision : 131 LGERA 350

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : MUCKLE v ANDERSON & ANOR [2002] NSWCA 283 FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 41018/01 HEARING DATE(S) : 21 August 2002, 22 August 2002 JUDGMENT DATE : 9 September 2002

PARTIES : Lester John Muckle - Appellant Donald Anderson and Frances Anderson - Respondents JUDGMENT OF : Sheller JA at 1; Giles JA at 41; Davies AJA at 42

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION : Land & Environment Court LOWER COURT 40069/00 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Cowdroy J JUDICIAL OFFICER :

COUNSEL : J E Sexton SC/T G Howard - Appellant M Fraser - Respondents SOLICITORS : Harris Wheeler - Appellant P J Donnellan & Co - Respondents CATCHWORDS : LAND & ENVIRONMENT - development application - interpretation of condition in consent - meaning of "water drainage system" - flow of surface water obstructed by land fill - distinction between watercourse and surface water - application of Gartner v Kidman - whether order entered by trial Judge served any purpose LEGISLATION CITED : Land and Environment Court Act 1979 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 CASES CITED: Gartner v Kidman (1962) 108 CLR 12 Nield v London & N W Railway (1874) LR 10 Ex DECISION : 1. Appeal allowed; 2. Set aside orders 1 and 2 made by Cowdroy J on 30 November 2001; 3. In lieu thereof order that the proceedings be dismissed with costs; 4. The respondents to pay the appellant's costs of this appeal but to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 if so qualified.

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES COURT OF APPEAL CA 41018/01 L & E 40069/00