Copmanhurst Shire Council v Watt [2005] NSWCA 245

Reported Decision : 140 LGERA 333

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Copmanhurst Shire Council v Watt [2005] NSWCA 245

HEARING DATE(S): 12 July 2005

JUDGMENT DATE: 26 July 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Giles JA at 1; Tobias JA at 74; Brownie AJA at 75

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: Plaintiff's car skidded on road - hit embankment and overturned - council road works - whether loose gravel on bitumen surface - varied evidence from plaintiff's witnesses to support yes - defendant's witness said no - evidence that had previously said he could not remember - whether admissible as prior inconsistent statement - admissible - evidence of plaintiff's witnesses not put to defendant's witness - was put to defendant's witness that he had no real recollection - whether failure to comply with rule in Browne v Dunn - no failure - whether judge's finding of loose gravel on road appealably in error - not in error - whether causation of loss of control established - causation established - whether erred in apportionment for contributory negligence - no error. D

Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v G S F Australia Pty Ltd (2003) 57 NSWLR 321; Allied Pastoral Holdings Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (1983) 1 NSWLR 1; Bennett v Minister of Community Welfare (1992) 176 CLR 408; Betts v Whittingslowe (1945) 71 CLR 637; Browne v Dunn (1894) 6 R 67; Chappel v Hart (1998) 195 CLR 232; Commissioner for Main Roads v Jones [2005] HCA 27; Fox v Percy [2003] 214 CLR 118; CASES CITED: Hamilton v Nuroof (WA) Pty Ltd (1956) 96 CLR 18; Knight v Maclean [2002] NSWCA 314; March v E & M H Stramare Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506; Naxakis v Western General Hospital (1999) 197 CLR 269; Payless Superbarn (NSW) Pty Ltd v O'Gara (1990) 19 NSWLR 551; Podrebersek v Australian Iron and Steel Pty Ltd (1985) 59 ALR 529; Reid v Kerr (1974) 9 SASR 36; Scalice v Bezzina [2003] NSWCA 362; Seymour v Australian Broadcasting Commission (1977) 19 NSWLR 219.