Muswellbrook Shire Council v Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd (No 4) [2019] NSWLEC 56

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Muswellbrook Shire Council v Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd (No 4) [2019] NSWLEC 56 Hearing dates: Written submissions 20 December 2018, 15 and 22 February 2019 Date of orders: 18 April 2019 Decision date: 18 April 2019 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Robson J Decision: See orders at [77] Catchwords: COSTS – applicant unsuccessful in judicial review proceedings – whether proceedings brought in the public interest – whether departure from usual costs rule justified – applicant ordered to pay the costs of the first and second respondents Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) ss 11, 98 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) Pt 3A Land and Environment Court Rules 2007 (NSW) r 4.2 Uniform Civil Procedures Rules 2005 (NSW) rr 1.7, 42.1, 59.3, Sch 2 Cases Cited: Anderson on behalf of Numbahjing Clan within the Bundjalung Nation v NSW Minister for Planning (No 2) [2008] NSWLEC 272; (2008) 163 LGERA 132 Bostik Australia Pty Ltd v Liddiard (No 2) [2009] NSWCA 304 Botany Bay City Council v Minister for Local Government (No 2) [2016] NSWCA 127 Caroona Coal Action Group Inc v Coal Mines Australia Pty Ltd (No 3) [2010] NSWLEC 59; (2010) 173 LGERA 280 Cunneen v Independent Commission Against Corruption [2014] NSWCA 421 Engadine Area Traffic Action Group Inc v Sutherland Shire Council (No 2) [2004] NSWLEC 434; (2004) 136 LGERA 365 Hastings Point Progress Association Inc v Tweed Shire Council (No 3) [2010] NSWCA 39; (2010) 172 LGERA 157 Jacob v Save Beeliar Wetlands (Inc) [2016] WASCA 126 (S); (2016) LGERA 201 Muswellbrook Shire Council v Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd (No 3) [2018] NSWLEC 193 Oshlack v Richmond River Council (1998) 193 CLR 72; [1998] HCA 11 People for the Plains Incorporated v Santos NSW (Eastern) Pty Ltd (No 2) [2017] NSWCA 157 R v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal; Ex parte Hardiman (1980) 144 CLR 13; [1980] HCA 13 Shellharbour City Council v Minister for Planning (No 2) [2012] NSWLEC 96 Waters v P C Henderson (Aust) Pty Ltd [1994] NSWCA 338; (1994) 254 ALR 328 Category: Costs Parties: Muswellbrook Shire Council (Applicant) Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd (First Respondent) The Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: R Lovas (Applicant) R Lancaster SC with C Trahanas (First Respondent) N Kelly (Second Respondent)