Rosebanner Pty Ltd & Anor v EnergyAustralia [2011] NSWCA 28

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Rosebanner Pty Ltd & Anor v EnergyAustralia [2011] NSWCA 28 Hearing dates: 15 & 16 March 2010 Decision date: 25 February 2011 Before: Allsop P, Giles JA, McColl JA Decision: 1. Appeal dismissed. 2. Appellants pay the respondent's costs. [Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.] Catchwords: TORT - Sydney County Council put pole for transmission line on Crown land - land subsequently in private ownership - whether existence of pole a trespass against owner - whether Sydney County Council had authority to place pole on land - whether EnergyAustralia as successor had authority to keep pole on land - no trespass. CONTRACT - formulation - whether contract made to remove pole within stated period - on facts, not made. Legislation Cited: Crown and Other Roads Act 1990; Electricity Act 1945; Electricity Supply Act 1995; Electricity Supply Amendment (Protection of Electricity Works) Act 2006; Energy Services Corporations Act 1995; Gas and Electricity Act 1935, ss 51, 55; Municipal Council of Sydney Electric Lighting Act 1896, s 14; Local Government Act 1919,ss 382, 383; Public Roads Act 1902; Public Works Act 1912, s 80; Real Property Act 1900; Sydney Electricity Act 1990, s 53. Cases Cited: Asciano Services Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue (NSW) [2008] HCA 46; (2008) 235 CLR 602; Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Baxter Healthcare Pty Ltd [2007] HCA 38; (2007) 252 CLR 1; Bombay Province v Bombay Municipal Corporation (1947) AC 58; Brighton v Dungog Municipal Council (1971) 15 LGR (NSW) 74; Bropho v Western Australia (1990) 171 CLR 1; Commissioner of Main Roads v North Shore Gas Co Ltd (1967) 120 CLR 118; Edelsten v Health Insurance Commission (1990) 27 FCR 56; Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; (2003) 214 CLR 118; Gallen v Strathfield Municipal Council (1943) 1 NSWLR 122; Mills v Stokman (1967) 116 CLR 61; North Sydney Municipal Council v Housing Commission of New South Wales (1948) SR (NSW) 281; Oertel v Horden (1902) 2 SR (NSW) Eq 37; Presbyterian Church (NSW) Property Trust v Scots Church Development [2007] NSWSC 676; (2007) 64 ACSR 31; Quirindi Shire Council v Gigli (1985) 3 NSWLR178; Randwick Municipal Council v Commissioner for Government Transport (1967) 1 NSWLR 428; Thompson v Australian Telecommunications Commission (Hodgson J, 18 July 1988, unreported). Category: Principal judgment Parties: Rosebanner Pty Ltd - First Appellant Twenty-First Properties Pty Ltd - Second Appellant EnergyAustralia - Respondent Representation: Counsel: J J Webster SC & N Green - Appellants M J Leeming SC & C H Withers - Respondent Solicitors: Stephen Wawn & Associates - Appellants Clayton Utz - Respondent File Number(s): 2009/00298238 Publication restriction: No Decision under appeal Citation: Rosebanner Pty Ltd v EnergyAustralia [2009] NSWSC 43 Date of Decision: 2009-02-20 00:00:00 Before: Ward J File Number(s): SC 1144/04