Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association Inc v Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and Warkworth Mining Limited [2013] NSWLEC 48

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association Inc v Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and Warkworth Mining Limited [2013] NSWLEC 48 Hearing dates: 20-24 August 2012, 10-12 September 2012, 14 September 2012, 17 October 2012, 6-8 November 2012 and 15 November 2012 Decision date: 15 April 2013 Jurisdiction: Class 1 Before: Preston CJ Decision: 1.The appeal is upheld. 2.Project application no 09_0202 for the carrying out of the Warkworth Extension Project is disapproved. 3.The exhibits, other than Exhibit W33, are returned. Catchwords: APPEAL - objector appeal against Minister's decision to approve extension of open cut coal mine - impacts on endangered ecological communities - significant impacts not avoided or mitigated materially - reliance on offsets to compensate for impacts - offsets package inadequate - significant noise impacts on nearby residents - noise criteria for project inappropriate - noise control measures inadequate - social impacts - on balance negative social impacts on local community - economic analyses of project - input-output analysis and benefit cost analysis - economic analyses inadequate - balancing of environmental, social and economic factors - project disapproved Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Pts 3A, 4, ss 5, 75E, 75F, 75H, 75J, 75L, 75R Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Part 3A Repeal) Act 2011, Sch 1, 1.7 [2] Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) Land and Environment Court Act 1979 ss 37(1), 39 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 ss 56, 69B, 69F Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 s 6(2)(d) Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 Cases Cited: Associated Provincial Picture Houses, Limited v Wednesbury Corporation [1948] 1 KB 223 Australians for Sustainable Development Inc v Minister for Planning [2011] NSWLEC 33; (2011) 182 LGERA 370 Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance Inc v Minister for Planning and Infrastructure [2012] NSWLEC 197 Botany Bay City Council v Saab Corp Pty Ltd [2011] NSWCA 308 Drake v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (No 1) (1979) 46 FLR 409; 24 ALR 577 Drake-Brockman v Minister for Planning [2007] NSWLEC 490; (2007) 158 LGERA 349 Foley v Waverley Municipal Council (1963) 8 LGRA 26 Foster v Minister for Customs (2000) 200 CLR 442 Hunter Environmental Lobby Inc v Minister for Planning [2011] NSWLEC 221 Ironstone Community Action Group Inc v NSW Minister for Planning and Duralie Coal Pty Ltd [2011] NSWLEC 195 Kennedy v NSW Minister for Planning [2010] NSWLEC 240 Kulin Holdings Pty Ltd v Penrith City Council (1999) 103 LGERA 402 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd [1986] HCA 40; (1986) 162 CLR 24 Minister for Planning v Walker [2008] NSWCA 224; 161 LGERA 423 New Century Developments Pty Ltd v Baulkham Hills Shire Council (2003) 127 LGERA 316 Newbury District Council v Secretary of State for the Environment [1981] AC 578 Rivers SOS Inc v Minister for Planning [2009] NSWLEC 213; (2009) 178 LGERA 347 Telstra Corporation Ltd v Hornsby Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 133; (2006) 146 LGERA 10 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 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association Inc (Applicant) NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (First Respondent) Warkworth Mining Limited (Second Respondent) Representation: Mr R D White (Barrister) (Applicant) Ms A M Mitchelmore (Barrister) (First Respondent) Mr N J Williams SC with Mr R C Scruby (Second Respondent) Environmental Defender's Office (Applicant) Legal Services Branch, NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure (First Respondent) Minter Ellison Lawyers (Second Respondent) File Number(s): 10224 of 2012