Hunter Environment Lobby Inc v Minister for Planning [2011] NSWLEC 221

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Hunter Environment Lobby Inc v Minister for Planning [2011] NSWLEC 221 Hearing dates: 6 - 24 June 2011 Decision date: 24 November 2011 Jurisdiction: Class 1 Before: Pain J Decision: Approval should in principle be granted to the project identified in MP 08_0184 subject to conditions. The terms of several conditions require further consideration by the parties before these are finalised. The parties also need to consider appropriate timeframes for compliance as referred to in a number of the conditions. A timeframe to enable finalisation of conditions will be discussed with the parties. Catchwords: APPEAL - objector appeal against Minister's decision to approve extension of open-cut and underground coal mine - ecologically sustainable development principles under Pt 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 - should offset of scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions be required - whether long term impact on groundwater justified refusal - conditions to offset baseflow losses - whether remediation of groundwater possible - impact on biodiversity required greater connectivity of offset areas - approval should be granted subject to amended conditions Legislation Cited: Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1987 Pt 6A Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 5, Pt 3A s 75F, s 75H, s 75I, s 75J, s 75L, s 75R, Pt 4 s 79C Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Part 3A Repeal) Act 2011 Sch 6A cl 2(1)(a), cl 3(1) Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 Sch 3 Land and Environment Court 1979 s 17(d), s 39 Local Government Act 1919 Merriwa Local Environmental Plan 1992 cl 9, cl 10(1) Mid-Western Regional Interim Local Environmental Plan 2008 National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 s 6(2) Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005 Sch 1, cl 5(1), cl 6(1) State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) 2007 cl 2, cl 12, cl 14 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 Pt 7A s 127S, Sch 1 Pt 1 Sch 2 Pt 1 Cases Cited: Aldous v Greater Taree City Council [2009] NSWLEC 17; 167 LGERA 13 Allen Commercial Constructions Pty Ltd v North Sydney Municipal Council [1970] HCA 42; (1970) 123 CLR 490 Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation [1948] 1 KB 223; [1947] 2 All ER 680 Botany Bay City Council v Saab Corporation Pty Ltd [2011] NSWCA 308 Dogild Pty Ltd v Warringah Council [2008] NSWLEC 53; (2008) 158 LGERA 429 Gales Holdings Pty Ltd v Tweed Shire Council [2008] NSWLEC 209 Gerroa Environment Protection Society Inc v Minister for Planning [2008] NSWLEC 173 Gray v Minister for Planning [2006] NSWLEC 720; (2006) 152 LGERA 258 Ironstone Community Action Group Inc v NSW Minister for Planning [2011] NSWLEC 195 Lake Macquarie City Council v Hammersmith Management Pty Ltd [2003] NSWCA 313; 132 LGERA 225 Macquarie International Health Clinic Pty Limited v Sydney South West Area Health Service [2010] NSWCA 268 Minister for Planning v Walker [2008] NSWCA 224; (2008) 161 LGERA 423 Newbury District Council v Secretary of State for Environment [1981] AC 578; [1980] 1 All ER 731 Pyx Granite Co Ltd v Ministry of Housing and Local Government [1958] 1 QB 554 Ulan Coal Mines Ltd v Minister for Planning [2008] NSWLEC 185; (2008) 160 LGERA 20 Western Australian Planning Commission v Temwood Holdings Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 63; (2004) 221 CLR 30 Westfield Management Ltd v Perpetual Trustee Company Ltd [2006] NSWCA 245 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Hunter Environment Lobby Inc (Applicant) Minister for Planning (First Respondent) Ulan Coal Mines Ltd (Second Respondent) Representation: Mr P Clay (Applicant) Ms A Mitchelmore (First Respondent) Mr A Galasso SC with Mr R Beasley (Second Respondent) Environmental Defender's Office Ltd (Applicant) Department of Planning, Legal Services (First Respondent) McCullough Robertson Lawyers (Second Respondent) File Number(s): 10998 of 2010