Holland v City of Botany Bay Council [2017] NSWSC 1120

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Holland v City of Botany Bay Council [2017] NSWSC 1120 Hearing dates: 20 March 2017, 21 March 2017, 23 March 2017, 25 March 2017, 6 April 2017, further written submissions on 24 April 2017, 27 April 2017, 28 April 2017, 1 May 2017 Date of orders: 24 August 2017 Decision date: 24 August 2017 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Schmidt J Decision: Judgment for the Council. Accordingly, Mrs Holland's claim be dismissed. If the parties do not approach to be heard on costs within 14 days, the usual costs order will be made in favour of the Council. Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – pedestrian tripped and fell while crossing an intersection – proper construction of the Roads Act 1993 (NSW) – proper construction of s 45 of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) – nature of Council's duty of care – whether there was a trip hazard on the road which caused the plaintiff to fall – whether the Council had a defence under s 45 – whether the fall caused the plaintiff's back injury – whether there was any contributory negligence – no duty of care breached – damages – costs

EVIDENCE – witnesses – credibility and reliability of witnesses – Jones v Dunkel inferences Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Roads Act 1993 (NSW) Cases Cited: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak (2009) 239 CLR 420; [2009] HCA 48 Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd v Zaluzna (1987) 162 CLR 479; [1987] HCA 7 Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis (No 2) (2014) NSWLR 393; [2014] NSWCA at 139 Botany Bay City Council v Latham (2013) 197 LGERA 211; [2013] NSWCA 363 Brodie v Singleton Shire Council (2001) 206 CLR 512; [2001] HCA 29 Burwood Council v Byrnes [2002] NSWCA 343 Cavric v Willoughby City Council (2015) 89 NSWLR 461; [2015] NSWCA 182 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Cooper Brookes (Wollongong) Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1981) 147 CLR 297; [1981] HCA 26 Garzo v Liverpool/Campbelltown Christian School [2012] NSWCA 151 Glad Retail Cleaning v Alvarenga (2013) 86 NSWLR 482; [2013] NSWCA 482 Hobartville Stud Pty Ltd v Union Insurance Co Ltd (1991) 25 NSWLR 358 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705; [2001] NSWCA 305 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638; [1990] HCA 20 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Nightingale v Blacktown City Council [2015] NSWCA 423 North Sydney Council v Roman (2007) 69 NSWLR 240; [2007] NSWCA 27 Project Blue Sky v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355; [1998] HCA 28 RHG Mortgage Limited v Rosario Ianni [2015] NSWCA 56 Sampco Pty Ltd v Wurth [2015] NSWCA 117 Thompson v Woolworths (Qld) Pty Ltd (2005) 221 CLR 234; [2005] HCA 19 Tran v Nominal Defendant [2011] NSWCA 220 Wallace v Kam (2013) 250 CLR 375; [2013] HCA 19 Wheat v E Lacon & Co Ltd [1966] AC 552 at 578-9; [1966] 1 All ER 582 Wyong Shire Council v Vairy (2004) Aust Torts Reports 81-754; [2004] NSWCA 247 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Christina Holland (Plaintiff) City of Botany Bay (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Daley (Plaintiff) Mr D Kelly (Defendant)