Five Star Medical Centre Pty Limited v Kempsey Shire Council [2017] NSWDC 250

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Five Star Medical Centre Pty Limited v Kempsey Shire Council [2017] NSWDC 250 Hearing dates: 14, 15 and 22 August 2017 Date of orders: 13 September 2017 Decision date: 13 September 2017 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Judge D. Russell Decision: (1) Judgment for the plaintiff against the defendant for $195,853.51. (2) Order the defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs. (3) Grant liberty to apply to my Associate if any different costs order is sought by either party. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE – registered aerodrome operated by local council – collision between kangaroo and aircraft – wildlife hazard

NEGLIGENCE – Civil Liability Act 2002– s 5B – s 5C – s 5D – s 5R – duty of care – breach of duty of care – risk of harm – failure to take precautions – causation – contributory negligence

AVIATION – civil aviation – airports and air services – airports – ERSA – NOTAM – RCA

LOCAL GOVERNMENT– powers, functions and duties of councils generally - Civil Liability Act 2002 - s 42 – distinction between functions voluntarily assumed and those imposed on the authority as an obligation Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 Local Government Act 1993 Cases Cited: Neindorf v Junkovic [2005] HCA 75 Benmax v Austin Motor Co Limited [1955] AC 370 Australian Safeways Stores Pty Limited v Zaluzna [1987] 8 CA 7; (1987) 162 CLR 479 Roads & Traffic Authorities (NSW) v Dederer [2007] HCA 42: (2007) 234 CLR 334 Reid v Commercial Club (Albury) Limited [2014] NSWCA 98 Francis v Lewis [2003] NSWCA 152 Jones v Bartlett [2000] HCA 56: (2000) 205 CLR 166 Kocis v SE Dickens Pty Limited [1998] 3 VR 408 Wilkinson v Law Courts Limited [2001] NSWCA 196 Hackshaw v Shaw [1984] HCA 84; (1984) 155 CLR 614 Benic v State of New South Wales [2013] NSWSC 1039 Shirt v Wyong Shire Council [1978] 1 NSWLR 631 Graham Barclay Oysters Pty Limited v Ryan [2002] HCA 54: (2002) 211 CLR 540 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council [2005] HCA 92; (2005) 223 CLR 422 Adeels Palace Pty Limited v Mourbarak [2009] HCA 48; (2009) 239 CLR 420 Mobbs v Kain [2009] NSWCA 301; (2009) 54 MVR 179 Derrick v Cheung [2001] HCA 48; (2001) 181 ALR 301 Strong v Woolworths Limited [2012] HCA 5; (2012) 246 CLR 182 Cekan v Haines (1990) 21 NSWLR 296 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Five Star Medical Centre Pty Ltd (plaintiff) Kempsey Shire Council (defendant) Representation: Counsel: D. Lloyd (plaintiff) R. Sheldon SC (defendant)