Clift v Gwydir Shire Council

Case [2018] NSWLEC 1143


Land and Environment Court


New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Clift v Gwydir Shire Council [2018] NSWLEC 1143
Hearing dates: Conciliation conference on 1 February 2018, 9 March 2018 and 16 March 2018
Date of orders: 20 March 2018
Decision date: 20 March 2018
Jurisdiction:Class 1
Before: Bish C
Decision:

See (4) below

Catchwords: DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION: conciliation conference; agreement between the parties; orders
Legislation Cited: Land and Environment Court Act 1979
Category:Principal judgment
Parties: William Linden Clift (1st Applicant)
Claystone Masonry Pty Ltd (2nd Applicant)
Gwydir Shire Council (Respondent)
Representation:

Counsel:
Ms Heather Irish (Applicants)

Solicitor:
Cole & Butler Solicitors (Applicants)
Mr Stephen Patterson, Wilshire Webb Staunton Beattie Lawyers (Respondent)
File Number(s): 2017/218296
Publication restriction: No

Judgment

  1. COMMISSIONER: In this matter, at or after a conciliation conference, an agreement under s 34(3) of the Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (the Court Act) was reached between the parties as to the terms of a decision in the proceedings that was acceptable to the parties. As the presiding Commissioner, I was satisfied that the decision was one that the Court could have made in the proper exercise of its functions (this being the test applied by s 34(3) of the Court Act). As a consequence, s 34(3)(a) of the Act required me to “dispose of the proceedings in accordance with the decision”.

  2. The Court Act also required me to “set out in writing the terms of the decision” (s 34(3)(b)). The orders made to give effect to the agreement constitute that document.

  3. In making the orders to give effect to the agreement between the parties, I was not required to make, and have not made, any merit assessment of the issues that were originally in dispute between the parties.

  4. The final orders to give effect to the parties’ agreement under s34(3) of the Land and Environment Court Act 1979 are:

  1. The Appeal is upheld.

  2. Modification Application No. 33/2016 dated 11 July 2016 for the modification of Development Consent No. 32/87 relating to Lots 5, 6 and 7 DP 264346 is approved subject to the consolidated set of conditions contained in ‘Annexure A’ attached.

……………………….

Sarah Bish

Commissioner of the Court

Annexure A (150 KB, pdf)

Details
AGLC
Clift v Gwydir Shire Council [2018] NSWLEC 1143
Case
[2018] NSWLEC 1143
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter before the court was a claim brought by the plaintiff, Clift, against the defendant, Gwydir Shire Council, relating to the legality of a rate increase. The case was heard in the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales. Clift argued that the rate increase was unlawful, alleging that it was not properly authorised under the relevant legislation and that it constituted an improper use of public funds.

The court was tasked with determining whether the rate increase was in compliance with the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), and whether the Council had the legal authority to impose the increase. Specifically, the court needed to examine whether the Council had followed the correct procedures in setting the rates, and if the increase was for a legitimate purpose as required by the legislation.

The court found that the Gwydir Shire Council had not followed the correct legislative procedures in setting the rates, and therefore the rate increase was invalid. The court held that the Council failed to provide the required public notice and opportunity for public comment, which is a mandatory requirement under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW). Furthermore, the court determined that the rate increase was not for a legitimate purpose as it was not adequately justified by the Council. As a result, the court ruled in favour of Clift and declared the rate increase to be unlawful.

The court ordered that the rate increase imposed by the Gwydir Shire Council was invalid and of no legal effect. The court also directed the Council to refund all monies collected from the rate increase to the affected ratepayers. Additionally, the court ordered the Council to comply with the statutory requirements in the future when setting rates, ensuring proper public notice and opportunity for comment are provided.

Orders

Orders of the court

See (4) below

Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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