Al Maha Pty Ltd v Huajun Investments Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCA 245

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Al Maha Pty Ltd v Huajun Investments Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCA 245 Hearing dates: 5-6 September 2018 Decision date: 26 October 2018 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Leeming JA at [41]; Preston CJ of LEC at [42] Decision: (1) Quash the decision made in the Land and Environment Court on 26 February 2018 granting consent to development application N0429/16 lodged on behalf of Huajun Investments Pty Ltd with the City of Canada Bay Council, as amended by the decision of the Court on 7 June 2018 (the development consent).

(2) Declare that the development consent is invalid.

(3) Order that the first respondent (Huajun Investments Pty Ltd) pay the costs of the applicant, Al Maha Pty Ltd, in this Court. Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW – decision of Land and Environment Court Commissioner – decision to grant consent to development application for residential flat building that contravened height development standard – decision in accordance with parties' agreement reached at conciliation conference – whether Commissioner lacked jurisdiction to make decision – development partly on neighbouring owner's land – whether neighbouring owner's consent was required to development application – whether Commissioner formed the requisite opinions of satisfaction to justify contravention of development standard – whether decision to grant development consent was legally unreasonable – whether conciliation conference was validly constituted

CIVIL PROCEDURE – power to amend orders – "slip rule" – Commissioner's decision to amend orders under slip rule – amendments to conditions of consent and approved plans – whether order valid – Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 36.17 Legislation Cited: Canada Bay Local Environmental Plan 2013, cl 4.6 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, ss 4, 75H, 76, 76A, 76B, 77, 78A, 79C, 80, 97 Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, cll 49, 50; Sch 1, cll 1, 2; Sch 2, cll 6, 7 Interpretation Act 1987, s 48 Land and Environment Court Act 1979, ss 17, 18, 19, 31, 34, 34A, 34B, 34C, 36, 39, 56 State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007, cl 101 State Environmental Planning Policy No 1—Development Standards, cll 7 and 8 Supreme Court Act 1970, s 69 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 36.17 Cases Cited: Allandale Blue Metal Pty Ltd v Roads and Maritime Services (2013) 195 LGERA 182; [2013] NSWCA 103 Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr (2012) 83 NSWLR 302; [2012] NSWCA 13 Botany Bay City Council v Remath Investments No 6 Pty Ltd (2000) 50 NSWLR 312; [2000] NSWCA 364 Bunderra Holdings Pty Ltd v Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter Pty Ltd (2017) 226 LGERA 54; [2017] NSWCA 263 Campbelltown City Council v Vegan (2006) 67 NSWLR 372; [2006] NSWCA 284 Cheetham v Goulburn Motorcycle Club Inc (2017) 223 LGERA 43; [2017] NSWCA 83 Cranky Rock Road Action Group Inc v Cowra Shire Council (2006) 150 LGERA 81; [2006] NSWCA 339 Currey v Sutherland Shire Council (2003) 129 LGERA 223; [2003] NSWCA 300 Federated Engine-Drivers' and Firemen's Association of Australasia v Broker Hill Pty Co Ltd (1911) 12 CLR 398 Forrest and Forrest Pty Ltd v Wilson (2017) 91 ALJR 833; [2017] HCA 30 Housing Commissioner (NSW) v Tatmar Pastoral Co Pty Ltd (1983) 3 NSWLR 378 Huajun Investments Pty Ltd v City of Canada Bay Council [2018] NSWLEC 1087 Initial Action Pty Ltd v Woollahra Municipal Council [2018] NSWLEC 118 Kindimindi Investments Pty Ltd v Lane Cove Council (2006) 143 LGERA 277; [2006] NSWCA 23 Leichhardt Council v Serratore [2005] NSWCA 406 McGovern v Ku-ring-gai Council (2008) 72 NSWLR 504; [2008] NSWCA 209 Mison v Randwick Municipal Council (1991) 23 NSWLR 734 Modern Motels Pty Ltd v Fairfield City Council [2013] NSWLEC 138 Murlan Consulting Pty Ltd v Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council (2009) 170 LGERA 162; [2009] NSWCA 300 Newmont Yandal Operations Pty Ltd v The J Aron Corporation & The Goldman Sachs Group Inc (2007) 70 NSWLR 411; [2007] NSWCA 195 North Sydney Council v Ligon 302 Pty Ltd (1995) 87 LGERA 435 North Sydney Council v Ligon 302 Pty Ltd (1996) 185 CLR 470; [1996] HCA 20 Owners – Strata Plan 37762 v Pham [2005] NSWLEC 500 Public Service Board of NSW v Osmond (1986) 159 CLR 656; [1986] HCA 7 Roads and Maritime Service v Desane Properties Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCA 196 Rose Bay Afloat Pty Ltd v Woollahra Council (2002) 126 LGERA 36; [2002] NSWLEC 208 Snowy Monaro Regional Council v Tropic Asphalts Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCCA 202 Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 Sydney City Council v Ipoh Pty Ltd (2006) 68 NSWLR 411; [2006] NSWCA 300 Timbarra Protection Coalition Inc v Ross Mining NL (1999) 46 NSWLR 55; [1999] NSWCA 8 Tonab Investments Pty Ltd v Optima Developments Pty Ltd (2015) 90 NSWLR 268; [2015] NSWCA 287 Winn v Director General of National Parks and Wildlife (2001) 130 LGERA 508; [2001] NSWCA 17 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Al Maha Pty Ltd (Applicant) Huajun Investments Pty Ltd (First Respondent) Land and Environment Court (Second Respondent) City of Canada Bay Council (Third Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr T Robertson SC, Mr Lazarus (Applicant) Mr P Tomasetti SC, Mr J Doyle (First Respondent) Submitting appearance (Second Respondent) Submitting appearance (Third Respondent)