The Dubler Group Pty Ltd v Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources & Anor [2004] NSWCA 424

Reported Decision : 137 LGERA 178

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : The Dubler Group Pty Ltd v Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources & Anor [2004] NSWCA 424 revised - 6/12/2004 HEARING DATE(S) : 9 November 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 25 November 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Sheller JA at 1; Giles JA at 2; Santow JA at 46 DECISION : (1) Appeal allowed; (2.) Set aside the orders that the applicant's Class 4 application is dismissed and that the applicant pay the respondents' costs; (3) Declare that the provisions of State Environmental Planning Policy No 53 - Metropolitan Residential Development inserted by State Environmental Planning Policy No 53 - Metropolitan Residential Development (Amendment No 10) do not apply to or in respect of the determination of the application for development consent lodged by the applicant on 30 May 2003 for dual occupancy development on land at 385 Bobbin Head Road, North Turramurra; (4) Subject to 5, respondents pay the appellant's costs of the proceedings in the Land and Environment Court and the appeal; (5) Appellant pay the second respondent's costs of the notice of motion filed on 24 September 2004; (6) Respondents to have certificates under the Suitors Fund Act if otherwise qualified.

CATCHWORDS : Environmental planning instrument - clause that provision does not apply to determination of a development application made before the provision's commencement - development application lodged - amendment adds provision - having effect that consent can not be granted - also adds provision that the provision having that effect applies to a development application made before its commencement - Act provides that amendments do not affect vested rights - whether vested right acquired on lodgment of development application - held yes - new provisions do not affect its determination. D Australian Coal and Shale Employees Federation v Aberfield Coal Mining Co Ltd (1942) 66 CLR 161; Byron Shire Council v Greenfields Mountain Pty Ltd (1999) 105 LGERA 445; The Colonial Sugar Refining Co Ltd v Irving (1905) AC 369; Druitts Developments Pty Ltd v Gosford City Council (2001) 114 LGERA 61; Esber v The Commonwealth of Australia (1992) 174 CLR 430; J R Exports Pty Ltd v Australian Trade Commission (1986) 71 ALR; Mathieson v Burton (1971) 124 CLR 23; CASES CITED : Maxwell v Murphy (1957) 96 CLR 261; Nalor Pty Ltd v Bankstown City Council (1980) 2 NSWLR 630; New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council v Minister Administering the Crown Lands (Consolidation) Act and the Western Lands Act (1988) 14 NSWLR 685; Q & R Developments Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2001) 117 LGERA 438; Robertson v City of Nunawading (1973) VR 819' Sofi v Wollondilly Shire Council (1975) 31 LGERA 416; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2) (2004) 1 AC 816; Ungar v City of Malvern (1979) VR 259. The Dubler Group Pty Ltd - Appellant PARTIES : Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources - First Respondent Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council - Second Respondent FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40590/04 P Tomasetti & J Johnson - Appellant COUNSEL : J Griffiths SC & J Jagot - First Respondent P McEwen SC & A Pearman - Second Respondent Maddocks - Appellant SOLICITORS : C Hanson, General Counsel, Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources - First Respondent Deacons - Second Respondent