O’Brien v Pittwater Council [2016] NSWDC 32

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: O'Brien v Pittwater Council [2016] NSWDC 32 Hearing dates: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 June; 27 July and 1 August 2015 Date of orders: 16 February 2016 Decision date: 16 February 2016 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: P Taylor SC DCJ Decision: (1) Direct the parties to bring forward orders that reflect these reasons. (2) In the event of disagreement, the matter will be relisted in respect of orders. (3) In any event, the matter will be relisted in respect of costs. Catchwords: TORT – private nuisance – increased water flow onto residential property – debris from water flow – noise from water flow – catchment area - natural watercourse – riparian rights - statutory defences – remedies – injunction - damages Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 43A Evidence Act 2005, s 67 Local Government Act 1919, s 582A Local Government Act 1993, s 59A, s 634, s 733 Water Management Act 2000, s 393 Cases Cited: Anthony Lagoon Station Pty Ltd v Maurice (1986) 13 FCR 262 Arena v Nader & State of New South Wales (1997) 71 ALJR 1604; [1997] 17 Leg Rep SL1 Bankstown City Council v Alamdo Holdings Pty Ltd (2005) 223 CLR 660 Bonaccorso v Strathfield Municipal Council [2003] NSWSC 408 Clissold v Perry (Minister for Public Instruction) (1904) 1 CLR 363 Coco v The Queen (1994) 179 CLR 427 Curtis v Harden Shire Council (2014) 88 NSWLR 10 Dubois v Noarlunga District Council [1959] SASR 127 Gales Holdings Pty Limited v Tweed Shire Council [2013] NSWCA 382 Gartner v Kidman (1962) 108 CLR 12 Gray v New South Wales (unreported, NSWSC, Young J, 31 July 1997) Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Knezovic v Shire of Swan-Guildford (1968) 118 CLR 468 Melaleuca Estate Pty Ltd v Port Stephens Council (2006) 12 BPR 23,743 Quick v Alpine Nurseries Sales Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 1248 Roads and Maritime Services v Grant [2015] NSWCA 138 Seidler v Luna Park Reserve Trust (unreported, NSWSC, Hodgson J, 21 September 1995) Vincent v Peacock [1973] 1 NSWLR 466 Wherry v K B Hutcherson Pty Ltd (unreported, NSWSC, Hodgson J, 4 April 1986) Texts Cited: J M Paterson, Kerr on Injunctions, (6th ed, 1927, Sweet & Maxwell) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Naomi Catherine O'Brien (plaintiff) Pittwater Council (defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr A Fernon (plaintiff) Mr S Glascott (defendant)