Vreman and Morris v Albury City Council [2011] NSWSC 39

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Vreman and Morris v Albury City Council [2011] NSWSC 39 Hearing dates: 8 - 11 November 2010 Decision date: 11 February 2011 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Harrison J Decision: 1. Verdict for the defendant. 2. I will hear the parties on the question of costs. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE - plaintiffs injured as a result of falls from bikes at a purpose built skate park constructed and controlled by the defendant - surface of bare concrete painted to facilitate removal of graffiti - surface more slippery when painted than in original condition - whether defendant in breach of duty to take care for the safety of users of the skate park - Civil Liability Act 2002 - whether risk obvious - whether riding bikes at skate park a dangerous recreational activity - whether defendant liable in negligence as result of materialisation of an obvious risk of a dangerous recreational activity - whether defendant owed a duty of care for recreational activity where risk warning given - whether accidents caused by reason of the added slipperiness of the surface when painted - whether plaintiffs established that accidents would not have occurred if surface had not been painted - where plaintiffs injured as result of the materialisation of an obvious risk of a dangerous recreational activity - verdict for the defendant Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 Cases Cited: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak; Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Bou Najem [2009] HCA 48; (2009) 239 CLR 420 Belna Pty Limited v Irwin [2009] NSWCA 46 C G Maloney Pty Ltd v Hutton-Potts [2006] NSWCA 136 Edwards v Consolidated Broken Hill Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 301 Fallas v Mourlas [2006] NSWCA 32; (2006) 65 NSWLR 418 Falvo v Australian Oztag Sports Association [2006] NSWCA 17; (2006) Aust Torts Reports 81-831 Great Lakes Shire Council v Dederer; Roads & Traffic Authority of NSW v Dederer [2006] NSWCA 101; (2006) Aust Torts Reports 81-860 Jaber v Rockdale City Council [2008] NSWCA 98; (2008) Aust Torts Reports 81-952 Lormine Pty Ltd v Xuereb [2006] NSWCA 200 Mobbs v Kain [2009] NSWCA 301 Roads & Traffic Authority v Dederer [2007] HCA 42; (2007) 234 CLR 330 Greater Taree City Council v Peck [2002] NSWCA 331 Shellharbour City Council v Rigby [2006] NSWCA 308 at [300]; (2006) Aust Torts Reports 81-864 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council [2005] HCA 62; (2005) 223 CLR 422 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Jade Vreman and Joshua Raymond Morris (Plaintiffs) Albury City Council (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: I Roberts SC with R Foord (Plaintiffs) J Sexton SC with P Knowles (Defendant) Solicitors: Denniston & Day (Plaintiffs) DLA Phillips Fox (Defendant) File Number(s): 2009/297555; 2009/297758