Coffs Harbour City Council v The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure & Others [2012] NSWLEC 4

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Coffs Harbour City Council v The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure & Others [2012] NSWLEC 4 Hearing dates: 28, 29 and 30 June 2011 + written submissions on 4, 5 and 6 July 2011 Decision date: 23 January 2012 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Sheahan J Decision: 1. The amended summons is dismissed. 2. Costs are reserved. 3. All exhibits are returned. Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW: challenge to a concept plan approval granted under the since-repealed Part 3A of the EPA Act, on the basis of error of law, uncertainty, expiry of time in which requirements or guidelines remain current, failure to consider a mandatory matter, failure to properly identify the proponent, and inadequate environmental assessment - discretion - impact of the repeal of Part 3A, and of the associated amendment of the relevant SEPP Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 Interpretation Act 1987 State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Development) 2005 State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Development) Amendment 2011 Coffs Harbour Local Environmental Plan 2000 Cases Cited: ACR Trading Pty Ltd and anor v Fat-Sel Pty Ltd and anor (1987) 11 NSWLR 67 Attorney-General (NSW) v Quin [1990] HCA 21; (1990) 170 CLR 1 Auburn Municipal Council v Szabo & Anor (1971) 67 LGRA 427 Betohuwisa Investments Pty Ltd v Kiama Municipal Council [2010] NSWLEC 223; (2010) 177 LGERA 312 Corporation of the City of Enfield v Development Assessment Commission [2000] HCA 5; (2000) 199 CLR 135 Craig v South Australia [1995] HCA 58; (1995) 184 CLR 163 Currey v Sutherland Shire Council [2002] NSWLEC 195 Currey v Sutherland Shire Council and Russell [2003] NSWCA 300; (2003) 129 LGERA 223 Drake-Brockman v Minister for Planning & Anor [2007] NSWLEC 490; (2007) 158 LGERA 349 Ex parte Hebburn Ltd; Re Kearsley Shire Council (1947) 64 WN (NSW) 107, 47 SR (NSW) 416 Hornsby Shire Council v Devery & Ors (1965) 12 LGRA 34 Kindimindi v Lane Cove Council [2006] NSWCA 23; 143 LGERA 277 Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang [1996] HCA 6; (1996) 185 CLR 259 Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs v Bhardwaj [2002] HCA 11; (2009) 209 CLR 597 Minister for Planning v Walker [2008] NSWCA 224; (2008) 161 LGERA 423 Neighbourhood Association DP 285249 v Watson [2008] NSWSC 876; (2008) 162 LGERA 322 Nguyen v Minister for Health & Ageing [2002] FCA 1241; (2002) 71 ALD 529 Notaras v Waverley Council [2007] NSWCA 333; (2007) 161 LGERA 230 Pittwater Council v Minister for Planning [2011] NSWLEC 162 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 28; (1998) 194 CLR 355 Randwick Municipal Council v Broten [1964-5] NSWR 1445; (1964) 10 LGRA 271 Timbarra Protection Coalition Inc v Ross Mining NL & Ors [1999] NSWCA 8; (1999) 102 LGERA 52 Tugun Cobaki Alliance Inc v Minister for Planning and RTA [2006] NSWLEC 396 Ulan Coal Mines Limited v Minister for Planning and Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Limited [2008] NSWLEC 185; (2008) 160 LGERA 20 Visa International Service Association v Reserve Bank of Australia [2003] FCA 977; (2003) 131 FCR 300 Walsh v Parramatta City Council and Alam [2007] NSWLEC 255; (2007) 161 LGERA 118 Warringah Shire Council v Sedevcic (1987) 63 LGRA 361 Westfield Management Limited v Perpetual Trustee Company Limited & Anor. [2006] NSWCA 245 Whittaker v Comcare (1998) 86 FCR 532 Winn v Director-General of National Parks and Wildlife [2001] NSWCA 17; (2001) 130 LGERA 508 Woolworths Ltd v Pallas Newco Pty Ltd & Anor [2004] NSWCA 422; (2004) 136 LGERA 288 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Coffs Harbour City Council (Applicant) The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (First Respondent) Sandy Shores Developments Pty Ltd (Second Respondent) The Director-General of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (Third Respondent) Representation: Dr J Griffiths SC and Mr J Hutton (Applicant) Ms H Irish, Barrister (First and Third Respondents) Mr P Tomasetti SC and Mr N Eastman (Second Respondent) Sparke Helmore (Applicant) Department of Planning and Infrastructure (First and Third Respondents) Gadens Lawyers (Second Respondent) File Number(s): 40219 of 2011