Rankin v Gosford City Council [2015] NSWCA 249

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Rankin v Gosford City Council [2015] NSWCA 249 Hearing dates: 17 August 2015 Decision date: 25 August 2015 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Macfarlan JA at [54]; Simpson JA at [62] Decision: (1) Dismiss the appeal.

(2) Order that the appellant pay the respondent's costs of the appeal. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE – duty of care – liability for acts of third parties – motorcyclist injured after colliding with plastic barriers used by Council during road works – unidentified persons moved the barriers so as to obstruct both traffic lanes – whether Council owed the motorcyclist a duty of care to protect him from the unlawful conduct of third parties – whether it was reasonably foreseeable that plastic barriers could be moved – whether risk was not insignificant – Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales v Refrigerated Roadways Pty Ltd (2009) NSWLR 360; [2009] NSWCA 263 distinguished Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 5B, 5C. 45; Pt 5 Roads Act 1993 (NSW), Dictionary Transport Administration Act 1988 (NSW), s 45E Cases Cited: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak (2009) 239 CLR 420; [2009] HCA 48 Brodie v Singleton Shire Council (2001) 206 CLR 512; [2001] HCA 29 Hoffmann v Boland [2013] NSWCA 158 Kondis v State Transport Authority (1984) 154 CLR 672 Modbury Triangle Shopping Centre Pty Ltd v Anzil (2000) 205 CLR 254; [2000] HCA 61 Overseas Tankship (UK) Ltd v Morts Dock & Engineering Co Ltd (Wagon Mound (No 1)) [1961] AC 388 Palsgraf v Long Island RR 162 NE 99 (NY 1928) Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales v Refrigerated Roadways Pty Ltd (2009) 77 NSWLR 360; [2009] NSWCA 263 Smith v Leurs (1945) 70 CLR 256 Sullivan v Moody [2001] HCA 59; 207 CLR 562 Sydney Water Corporation v Turano [2009] HCA 42; 239 CLR 51 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Steven Rankin (Appellant) Gosford City Council (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr R McIlwaine SC/Mr R Quickenden (Appellant) Mr J Guihot (Respondent)