Mailey v Sutherland Shire Council [2017] NSWCA 343

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Mailey v Sutherland Shire Council [2017] NSWCA 343 Hearing dates: 1 December 2017 Date of orders: 20 December 2017 Decision date: 20 December 2017 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1]; Meagher JA at [2]; Preston CJ of LEC at [3] Decision: 1. The appeal is dismissed. 2. The appellants are to pay the respondent's costs of the appeal. Catchwords: BUILDING CONTROL – order to do work to place land in safe condition – retaining wall at imminent risk of collapse – retaining wall straddling common boundary – power to issue order – whether lower land not in safe condition – whether order can require work on upper land owned by another person – if any part of order invalid, whether severable – whether order uncertain – whether order issued for improper purpose – order not invalid in ways challenged – claim for compensation if order invalid – source of power to award compensation Legislation Cited: Access to Neighbouring Land Act 2000 Conveyancing Act 1919 s 177 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 121B Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 cl 98E Interpretation Act 1987 ss 3, 32 Local Government Act 1993 ss 124, 129, 136, 137, 138A, 180, 181, 676 Cases Cited: Bank of New South Wales v Commonwealth (1948) 76 CLR 1; [1948] HCA 7 Barclay v Wollongong City Council (2005) 139 LGERA 167; [2005] NSWLEC 160 Bobolas v Waverley Council (2012) 187 LGERA 63; [2012] NSWCA Cann's Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1946) 71 CLR 210; [1946] HCA 5 Cugg Pty Ltd v Gibo Pty Ltd (2001) 10 BPR 18,641; [2001] NSWSC 297 D'Anastasi v Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2011) 81 NSWLR 82; [2011] NSWCA 374 Daly v Thiering (2013) 249 CLR 381; [2013] HCA 45 Dehimi Pty Ltd v Barob Pty Ltd (1987) 4 BPR 97,277 Foster v Sutherland Shire Council (2001) 115 LGERA 130; [2001] NSWLEC 89 Genkem Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1994) 35 NSWLR 33 J & J O'Brien Pty Ltd v South Sydney City Council (2002) 121 LGERA 223; [2002] NSWCA 259 Jukes v Larter [2012] NSWSC 369 King Gee Clothing Co Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1945) 71 CLR 184; [1945] HCA 23 Lake Macquarie City Council v Gordon [2016] NSWLEC 49 Maitland City Council v Anambah Homes Pty Ltd (2005) 64 NSWLR 695; [2005] NSWCA 455 Manly Council v Leech [2015] NSWLEC 149 McElwaine v The Owners – Strata Plan 75975 [2017] NSWCA 239 Piling Contractors (Qld) Pty Ltd v Prynew Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 118 Proprietors of Strata Plan 159 v Parramatta City Council (1977) 37 LGRA 74 R & R Fazzolari Pty Ltd v Parramatta City Council (2009) 237 CLR 603; [2009] HCA 12 Ranjon International Holdings Pty Ltd v Rockdale Council (1994) 83 LGERA 10 Tweed Shire Council v Gennacker Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 3 Von Arnim v The Health Insurance Commission [2004] FCAFC 33 Williams v Keelty (2001) 111 FCR 175; [2001] FCA 1301 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Geoffrey Mailey (First Appellant) Cresley Investments Pty Ltd (Second Appellant) GNK Developments Pty Ltd (Third Appellant) Sutherland Shire Council (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr P Tomasetti SC (Appellants) Mr T Robertson SC and Mr R O'Gorman Hughes (Respondent)