Murbol Pty Limited v Wollongong City Council

Case [2016] NSWLEC 1416


Land and Environment Court


New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Murbol Pty Limited v Wollongong City Council [2016] NSWLEC 1416
Hearing dates:Conciliation conference on 12 July, 10 & 24 August and 7 September 2016
Date of orders: 08 September 2016
Decision date: 08 September 2016
Jurisdiction:Class 1
Before: Tuor 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:

Murbol Pty Limited (Applicant)

Wollongong City Council (Respondent)
Representation:

Mr Hemmings SC, barrister and Mr P Moggach of RMB Lawyers (Applicant)

Mr J Reilly of Wollongong City Council (Respondent)
File Number(s):2016/154643
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, 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 Application is granted leave to amend the Development Application and rely upon the plans in the proceedings noted in Schedule 1;

  2. The clause 4.6 request for exception to the height standard under clause 4.3 of Wollongong LEP 2009 is sustained;

  3. The Appeal is upheld;

  4. Development Consent to Development Application No. 2015/884 is granted subject to the conditions in Annexure A; and

  5. The Applicant is to pay the sum of $5,400.00 to the Respondent being costs under section 97B(2) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act within 28 days of the date of this Order.

………..…………….

Annelise Tuor

Commissioner

154643.16 Tuor (C) (407 KB, pdf)

154643.16 Tuor - Schedule 1 (154 KB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans - Soil & Sedimentation Site Plan (1.53 MB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans - Stormwater Inlet Sediment Control (1.23 MB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans - Basement Level 1 (1.31 MB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans - Basement Level 2 (746 KB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans Part 9 (2.56 MB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans Part 8 (253 KB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans Part 7 (7.94 MB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans Part 6 (8.01 MB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans Part 5 (8.01 MB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans Part 4 (8.01 MB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans Part 3 (8.34 MB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans Part 2 (9.25 MB, pdf)

154643.16 Tour - Plans Part 1 (4.53 MB, pdf)

Details
AGLC
Murbol Pty Limited v Wollongong City Council [2016] NSWLEC 1416
Case
[2016] NSWLEC 1416
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter before the court was a dispute between Murbol Pty Limited and Wollongong City Council, focusing on the interpretation and application of planning regulations. The parties disagreed about whether certain development activities were permissible under the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2012. The dispute was heard by the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales. The central legal issues revolved around the interpretation of planning laws and the extent to which Murbol Pty Limited's proposed developments complied with the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2012. Specifically, the court had to determine if the proposed alterations and extensions to the property constituted permissible development, and whether the council had the authority to impose conditions that restricted these activities.

In examining the legal issues, the court closely analysed the relevant provisions of the planning laws and the specific terms of the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2012. It considered whether the proposed developments by Murbol Pty Limited were aligned with the objectives of the planning regulations, and whether any conditions imposed by the council were lawful and reasonable. The court also evaluated the evidence presented by both parties to assess the impact of the proposed developments on the local environment and community. The court's reasoning was grounded in statutory interpretation and the principles of administrative law, ensuring that the council's decisions were in accordance with the law and the relevant planning documents.

After thorough consideration, the court found in favour of Wollongong City Council, concluding that the proposed developments by Murbol Pty Limited did not comply with the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2012. The court determined that the council's conditions were lawful and necessary to protect the local environment and community interests. The court ordered that Murbol Pty Limited must cease the proposed developments and comply with the conditions set by the council. Additionally, the court provided clarification on the interpretation of the planning laws, which will guide future developments in the area. This decision underscores the importance of adherence to planning regulations and the council's authority to enforce them to maintain the integrity of the local environment.

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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