South East Forest Rescue Incorporated v Bega Valley Shire Council and South East Fibre Exports Pty Ltd [2011] NSWLEC 250

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: South East Forest Rescue Incorporated v Bega Valley Shire Council and South East Fibre Exports Pty Ltd [2011] NSWLEC 250 Hearing dates: 1 and 2 December 2011 Decision date: 16 December 2011 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Preston CJ Decision: The Court: 1. Declares that development consent dated 14 June 2011 granted by Bega Valley Shire Council to development application No. 2011.0035 for the installation of a wood pellet manufacturing plant at Lot 16 DP 1066187, Edrom Road, Eden, is invalid and of no effect. 2. Reserves the question of the costs of the proceedings. Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW - development consent for wood pellet plant - failure to consider relevant matters - consistency with zone objectives - public submissions - ecologically sustainable development - climate change Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 79C Land and Environment Court Act 1979 s 25B Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Cases Cited: Bat Advocacy NSW Inc v Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts [2011] FCAFC 59; (2011) 180 LGERA 99 Clifford v Wyong Shire Council (1996) 89 LGERA 240 Conservation of North Ocean Shores Inc v Byron Shire Council [2009] NSWLEC 69; (2009) 167 LGERA 52 Currey v Sutherland Shire Council (1998) 100 LGERA 365 Drake-Brockman v Minister for Planning [2007] NSWLEC 490; (2007) 158 LGERA 349 Franklins Ltd v Penrith City Council [1999] NSWCA 134 Hill v Woollahra Municipal Council [2003] NSWCA 106; (2003) 127 LGERA 7 Manly Council v Hortis [2001] NSWCA 81; (2001) 113 LGERA 321 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1986) 162 CLR 24 Minister for Local Government v South Sydney City Council [2002] NSWCA 288; (2002) 55 NSWLR 381 Minister for Planning v Walker [2008] NSWCA 224; (2008) 161 LGERA 423 Nambucca Valley Conservation Association v Nambucca Shire Council [2010] NSWLEC 38 Parramatta City Council v Hale (1982) 47 LGRA 319 Schroders Australia Property Management Ltd v Shoalhaven City Council [2001] NSWCA 74 Telstra Corporation Ltd v Hornsby Shire Council (2006) 67 NSWLR 256; 146 LGERA 10 Tickner v Chapman (1995) 57 FCR 451 Warren v Electricity Commission of NSW (1990) 130 LGERA 565 Category: Principal judgment Parties: South East Forest Rescue Incorporated (Applicant) Bega Valley Shire Council (First Respondent) South East Fibre Exports Pty Ltd (Second Respondent) Representation: Ms S Duggan SC with Mr S Nash (Applicant) Submitting appearance (First Respondent) Mr J E Robson SC with Mr R White (Second Respondent) Environmental Defender's Office (NSW) Ltd (Applicant) M E McMahon & Associates (Submitting appearance) (First Respondent) Herbert Geer Lawyers (Second Respondent) File Number(s): 40701 of 2011