Save Our Figs Inc v General Manager Newcastle City Council [2011] NSWLEC 207

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Save Our Figs Inc v General Manager Newcastle City Council [2011] NSWLEC 207 Hearing dates: 14 November 2011 Decision date: 17 November 2011 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Biscoe J Decision: Order that respondents not cause the destruction or removal of fig trees at Laman Street, Cooks Hill until final determination of the proceedings. Proceedings expedited and final hearing dates fixed. Catchwords: INJUNCTIONS:-whether interlocutory injunction should be granted that respondents not cause destruction or removal of certain trees - whether serious question to be tried - whether general manager of council, when discharging function under s 335(1) Local Government Act, was bound to consider an offer by Premier - meaning of obligation to consider - whether balance of convenience favours grant of interlocutory injunction. Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Part 3A Land and Environment Court Rules 2007 r 4.2 Local Government Act 1993 ss 335(1), 372(5), 382(1), 440F(1), 674(1) Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 cl 283(3) Roads Act 1993 s 88 Cases Cited: Alexander v Yass Valley Council [2011] NSWLEC 148 Australian Broadcasting Corporation v O'Neill [2006] HCA 46, 227 CLR 57 Beecham Group Ltd v Bristol Laboratories Pty Ltd (1968) 118 CLR 618 Capital Airports Group Pty Ltd v Director General, NSW Department of Planning (No 2) [2011] NSWLEC 83 Craig v State of South Australia [1995] HCA 58,184 CLR 163 Foster v Minister for Customs and Justice [2000] HCA 38, 200 CLR 442 Walsh v Parramatta City Council [2007] NSWLEC 255, 161 LGERA 118 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd [1986] HCA 40, 162 CLR 24 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZJSS [2010] HCA 48, 273 ALR 122 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Yusuf [2001] HCA 30, 206 CLR 323 Minister for Planning v Walker [2008] NSWCA 224, 161 LGERA 423 Parks and Playgrounds Movement Inc v Newcastle City Council [2010] NSWLEC 173 Parks and Playgrounds Movement Inc v Newcastle City Council [2010] NSWLEC 231, 179 LGERA 346 Plaintiffs M168/10 v Commonwealth [2011] HCA 25, 85 ALJR 790 Category: Interlocutory applications Parties: Save Our Figs Inc (Applicant) General Manager, Newcastle City Council (First Respondent) Newcastle City Council (Second Respondent) Representation: COUNSEL: Mr M A Robinson SC and Mr S A Beckett (Applicant) Mr J Stevenson SC and Mr A Shearer (Respondents) SOLICITORS: Catherine Henry Partners (Applicant) Newcastle City Council (Respondents) File Number(s): 40997 of 2011