Upper Mooki Landcare Inc v Shenhua Watermark Coal Pty Ltd and Minister for Planning [2016] NSWLEC 6

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Upper Mooki Landcare Inc v Shenhua Watermark Coal Pty Ltd and Minister for Planning [2016] NSWLEC 6 Hearing dates: 31 August, 1-3 September 2015 Date of orders: 19 February 2016 Decision date: 19 February 2016 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Preston CJ Decision: (1) The proceedings are dismissed.

(2) The question of costs is reserved. Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW – development consent for open cut coal mine – likely significant effect on threatened species of the koala – development application contained indication of likely significant effect – whether misdirection in giving or considering indication – consideration of impact on koala population including by koala translocation – whether failure to consider what was local population of koalas – condition of consent requiring koala plans of management – whether condition deferred consideration of impacts on koalas – whether failure to consider precautionary principle or principle of conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity – application dismissed Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 ss 5A, 5A(1), 5A(2), 78A(1), 78A(8A), 79B, 79B(2A), 79B(3), 79C(1)(b), 79C(1)(e), 80(1), 89E(1), 89H National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 ss 5, s 97(2) Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 s 6(2) Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 s 94A Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 cll 50(1)(a), 50(1)(b), Sch 1 cll 1(1)(e), 1(1)(ea), Sch 2, cll 3(9)(d), 6(e), 7(1)(d) Cases Cited: Australian Broadcasting Tribunal v Bond [1990] HCA 33; (1990) 170 CLR 321 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Currey v Sutherland Shire Council [2003] NSWCA 300; (2003) 129 LGERA 223 Davis v Gosford City Council [2014] NSWCA 343; (2014) 87 NSWLR 699 Drake-Brockman v Minister for Planning [2007] NSWLEC 490; (2007) 158 LGERA 349 Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 289; (2006) 148 LGERA 278 Master Education Services Pty Ltd v Ketchell [2008] HCA 38; (2008) 236 CLR 101 Minister for Planning v Walker [2008] NSWCA 224; (2008) 161 LGERA 423 Newcastle and Hunter Valley Speleological Society Inc v Upper Hunter Shire Council [2010] NSWLEC 48; (2010) 210 LGERA 126 Notaras v Waverley Council [2007] NSWCA 333; (2007) 161 LGERA 230 Palmer v The Board of Lands and Works (1875) 1 VLR 80 Re Sydney Harbour Collieries Company (1895) 5 Land Appeal Court Reports 243 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) 67 NSWLR 256; (2006) 146 LGERA 10 Ulan Coal Mines Ltd v Minister for Planning [2008] NSWLEC 185; (2008) 160 LGERA 20 Walsh v Parramatta City Council [2007] NSWLEC 255; (2007) 161 LGERA 118 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Upper Mooki Landcare Inc (Applicant) Shenhua Watermark Coal Pty Ltd (First Respondent) Minister for Planning (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr P W Larkin SC with Mr S B Nash (Applicant) Mr N J Williams SC with Mr D Hume (First Respondent) Mr A Shearer (Barrister) with Ms R Mansted (Barrister) (Second Respondent)