Valuer-General v Fivex Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 53

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Valuer-General v Fivex Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 53 Hearing dates: 26 February 2015 Decision date: 17 March 2015 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Gleeson JA at [2]; Leeming JA at [3] Decision: (1) Appeal allowed.

(2) Cross-appeal dismissed.

(3) Set aside the orders made on 28 March 2014, and remit the proceedings to the Land and Environment Court for determination in accordance with law.

(4) The respondent/cross-appellant to pay the costs of the appellant/cross-respondent of the appeal and cross-appeal. Catchwords: APPEALS - appeal confined to question of law - scope of appeal - no error of law in failing to address GST treatment of comparable sales where point not taken at trial

STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION - primacy of legislative text - relevance of principles of planning law

VALUATION - land value - unimproved value of fee-simple - highest and best use - s 6A(2) of Valuation of Land Act 1916 (NSW) - mandatory assumption as to existing uses and improvements - building exceeded maximum floor space ratio permitted under local environmental plan - actual use was highest and best use - whether s 6A(2) required regard to be had to maximum floor space permitted under local environmental plan or to actual floor space in building Legislation Cited: A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth), ss 38-325, 75-5 Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW), s 57 Valuation of Land Act 1916 (NSW), ss 6A, 14G, and 37 Cases Cited: Abret Pty Ltd v Wingecarribee Shire Council [2011] NSWCA 107; 180 LGERA 343 Alcan (NT) Alumina Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Territory Revenue [2009] HCA 41; 239 CLR 27 AMP Henderson Global Investors v Valuer General [2004] NSWCA 264; 134 LGERA 426 Chamwell Pty Ltd v Strathfield Council [2007] NSWLEC 114; 151 LGERA 400 Commonwealth Custodial Services Ltd v Valuer General [2007] NSWCA 365; 156 LGERA 186 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v St Helens Farm (ACT) Pty Ltd [1981] HCA 4; 146 CLR 336 Hayes v Willoughby [2013] UKSC 17; [2013] 2 All ER 405 Maurici v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2001] NSWCA 78 Minister Administering the Crown Lands Act v NSW Aboriginal Land Council [2008] HCA 48; 237 CLR 285 Royal Sydney Golf Club v Federal Commissioner of Taxation [1955] HCA 13; 91 CLR 610 Stevens v Kabushiki Kaisha Sony Computer Entertainment [2005] HCA 58; 224 CLR 193 Toohey's Ltd v Valuer General [1925] AC 439 Trust Company of Australia v Valuer-General [2007] NSWCA 181; 154 LGERA 437 Valuer-General of New South Wales v In Adam Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 20 Valuer-General v Commonwealth Custodial Services Ltd [2009] NSWCA 143; 74 NSWLR 700 Valuer-General v Perilya Broken Hill Ltd [2013] NSWCA 265; 195 LGERA 416 Walker Corporation Pty Ltd v Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority [2008] HCA 5; 233 CLR 259 Western Freight Management Pty Ltd v Roads & Maritime Services (NSW) [2014] NSWCA 132 Wunderlich Ltd v Valuer-General (1959) 5 LGRA 50 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Valuer-General (Appellant/Cross-respondent) Fivex Pty Ltd (Respondent/Cross-appellant) Representation: Counsel: J Robson SC with M Carpenter (Appellant/Cross-respondent) I Hemmings SC with A Isaacs (Respondent/Cross-appellant)