Oshlack v Rous Water (No 2) [2012] NSWLEC 111

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Oshlack v Rous Water (No 2) [2012] NSWLEC 111 Hearing dates: 21-22 June 2011 Decision date: 16 May 2012 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Pepper J Decision: Summons dismissed. The applicant is to pay the costs of the first and second respondent. However, if any party seeks an alternative costs order, then that party is to relist the matter within 14 days of the date of this judgment for further argument on the question of costs. Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW: whether decisions by councils to uplift fluoride level in public water supplies and to construct a fluoride dosing plant invalid - whether the councils complied with s 111 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 - meaning of phrase "to take into account to the fullest extent possible" - "proper, genuine and realistic consideration" -whether irrelevant considerations taken into account - whether decisions vitiated by an error of law - whether there was a constructive failure to exercise jurisdiction - decisions valid. Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, ss 110, 110E(c), 111, 112 Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, cl 228(2) Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957, ss 3, 6, 6A Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Regulation 2007 Local Government Act 1933, s 24 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 Water Act 1912 Cases Cited: Anderson v Director General, Department of Environment and Climate Change [2008] NSWCA 337; (2008) 163 LGERA 400 Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd v Australian Industrial Relations Commission [2000] HCA 47; (2000) 203 CLR 194 Craig v South Australia [1995] HCA 58; (1995) 184 CLR 163 Dranichnikov v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [2003] HCA 26; (2003) 197 ALR 389 Ex parte Hebburn; Re Kearsley Shire Council (1947) 47 SR (NSW) 416 F Hannan Pty Ltd v Electricity Commission of New South Wales (1983) NSWLR 282; (1983) 51 LGRA 353 Foster v Minister for Customs and Justice [2000] HCA 38; (2000) 200 CLR 442 Guthega Developments Pty Ltd v Minister Administering the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW) (1986) 7 NSWLR 353; (1986) 61 LGRA 401 Hoxton Park Residents Action Group Inc v Liverpool City Council [2010] NSWLEC 242 Hoxton Park Residents Action Group Inc v Liverpool City Council [2011] NSWCA 349; (2011) 184 LGERA 104 Khan v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1987) 14 ALD 291 Kindimindi Investments Pty Ltd v Lane Cove Council [2006] NSWCA 23; (2006) 143 LGERA 277 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd [1986] HCA 40; (1986) 162 CLR 24 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZJSS [2010] HCA 48; (2010) 243 CLR 164 Oshlack v Rous Water [2011] NSWLEC 73; (2011) 184 LGERA 365 Parks & Playgrounds Movement Inc v Newcastle City Council [2010] NSWLEC 231; (2010) 179 LGERA 346 Parramatta City Council v Hale (1982) 47 LGRA 319 Transport Action Group Against Motorways Inc v Roads and Traffic Authority [1999] NSWCA 196; (1999) 46 NSWLR 598 Tugun Cobaki Alliance Inc v Minister for Planning [2006] NSWLEC 396 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Al Oshlack (Applicant) Rous Water (First Respondent) Ballina Shire Council (Second Respondent) Lismore City Council (Third Respondent) Representation: Mr J Johnson (Applicant) Mr N J Williams SC with Ms V Bosnjak (First and Second Respondents) N/A (Applicant) Blake Dawson (First and Second Respondents) File Number(s): 40570 of 2010