Dunford v Gosford City Council (No 3) [2015] NSWLEC 96

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Dunford v Gosford City Council (No 3) [2015] NSWLEC 96 Hearing dates: 1 May 2015 Date of orders: 12 June 2015 Decision date: 12 June 2015 Jurisdiction: Class 1 Before: Sheahan J Decision: (1) The respondent is ordered to pay the applicant's costs of the Class 1 proceedings and of the applicant's Notice of Motion and hearing on costs, as agreed or assessed. (2) All exhibits and court books are returned, except those retained in the file by Brown C. Catchwords: COSTS – Successful applicant claiming costs of Class 1 proceedings – Council refused consent despite compliance with the applicable planning controls – the applicant had no alternative but to bring proceedings – whether the Council's conduct was so unreasonable that it displaces the presumptive rule that no order as to costs be made in Class 1 proceedings – costs of defended costs hearing. Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Land and Environment Court Act 1979 Land and Environment Court Rules 1996 Land and Environment Court Rules 2007 Local Government Act 1993 Cases Cited: ACM Landmark Pty Limited v Cessnock City Council [2006] NSWLEC 256 Agonic Holdings Pty Ltd v Lithgow City Council [2009] NSWLEC 34 Aldi Foods Pty Limited v Holroyd City Council [2005] NSWLEC 338; 142 LGERA 141 Arden Anglican School v Hornsby Shire Council [2008] NSWLEC 103; 158 LGERA 224 Bailey v Oberon Shire Council [2007] NSWLEC 273 Charlie Lovett Pty Limited v Hurstville City Council (No 2) [2015] NSWLEC 87 Community Association DP270253 v Woollahra Municipal Council [2015] NSWCA 80; 207 LGERA 268 Drake v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (No 2) (1979) 2 ALD 634 Dunford v Gosford City Council (No 2) [2014] NSWLEC 1275 Dunford v Gosford City Council [2015] NSWLEC 1016 Gales-Kingscliff Pty Ltd v Tweed Shire Council (No 2) [2007] NSWLEC 817 Grant v Kiama Municipal Council [2006] NSWLEC 70 Hillsong Church Limited v Council of the City of Sydney (No. 2) [2012] NSWLEC 118 Latoudis v Casey [1990] HCA 59; 170 CLR 534 Mike George Planning Pty Ltd v Woollahra Municipal Council (No 4) [2014] NSWLEC 187 Oshlack v Richmond River Council [1998] HCA 11; 193 CLR 72 Pepperwood Ridge Pty Ltd v Newcastle City Council [2008] NSWLEC 196; 160 LGERA 164 Pet Carriers International Pty Ltd v Botany Bay City Council (No 2) [2013] NSWLEC 150 Port Stephens Council v Sansom [2007] NSWCA 299; 156 LGERA 125 Stockland Development Pty Ltd v Manly Council [2004] NSWLEC 472; 136 LGERA 254 Terrace Tower Holdings Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2003] NSWCA 289; 129 LGERA 195 Thaina Town (On Goulburn) Pty Ltd v City of Sydney Council [2007] NSWCA 300; 71 NSWLR 230 Thomson v Mosman Council [1999] NSWLEC 86 Universal Childcare Pty Ltd v Leichhardt Municipal Council [2008] NSWLEC 277 Zhang v Canterbury City Council [2001] NSWCA 167; 51 NSWLR 589 Category: Costs Parties: Esther Dunford (Applicant) Gosford City Council (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr P Tomasetti, SC with Ms A Hemmings, barrister (Applicant) Ms M Hamdan, barrister (Respondent)