Murrie v Ku-ring-gai Council (No 2)

Case [2009] NSWLEC 1348



Land and Environment Court


of New South Wales


CITATION: Murrie v Ku-ring-gai Council (No 2) [2009] NSWLEC 1348
PARTIES:

APPLICANT
Danielle Murrie

RESPONDENT
Ku-ring-gai Council
FILE NUMBER(S): 10486 of 2008
CORAM: Bly C
KEY ISSUES: MODIFICATION APPLICATION :- demolition of retaining wall
LEGISLATION CITED: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
CASES CITED: Murrie v Ku-ring-gai Council 2009 NSWLEC 1041
DATES OF HEARING: 24 September 2009
EX TEMPORE JUDGMENT DATE: 24 September 2009
LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES:

APPLICANT
M R Bennet (solicitor)
SOLICITOR
Pikes Lawyers

RESPONDENT
Mrs L Finn (solicitor)
HWL Ebsworth Lawyers


JUDGMENT:

      THE LAND AND
      ENVIRONMENT COURT
      OF NEW SOUTH WALES

      Bly C

      24 September 2009

      10486 of 2008 Danielle Murrie -v- Ku-ring-gai Council

      JUDGMENT

1 On 3 February 2009 I heard three appeals (Murrie v Ku-ring-gai Council 2009 NSWLEC 1041) in relation to the property at 3 Lightcliff Avenue, Lindfield, involving a demolition order (10486 of 2008), an application for a building certificate (11072 of 2008) and a development consent (11105 of 2008). All three matters relate to a retaining wall on that property. Those appeals were, by consent, upheld.

2 The applicant now seeks in relation to matter 10486 of 2008 the modification of the demolition order (EPA0014/08) that was issued by the Ku-ring-gai Council on 22 April 2008.

3 In particular, the applicant seeks the amendment of order 2 (iii) to enable the time for the completion of the works referred to in the order and the obtaining of a certificate of structural adequacy to be extended until 3 December 2009. The parties have now provided the Court with consent orders to that effect.

4 According to the affidavit of Ryan John Bennett of 27 June 2009, the need for an extension of time arose because of unforeseen delays associated with scheduled commitments by the nominated builder and the need to engage an alternative engineer for the certification of the works.

5 The neighbours have been notified of the proposed change to the order and they have expressed no concerns.

6 In the circumstances and there being no matter in dispute that would require determination by the Court, I am satisfied that the sought modification of the Court’s orders in relation to the demolition order can be effected.

7 I therefore order that, by consent, order 2 (iii) in proceedings No 10486 of 2008 is modified as follows:

8 “2 (iii). All works referred to above are to be completed and a certificate of structural adequacy is to be provided to Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council on or before 3 December 2009.”

___________________

      T Bly
      Commissioner of the Court
      ajl
Details
AGLC
Murrie v Ku-ring-gai Council (No 2) [2009] NSWLEC 1348
Case
[2009] NSWLEC 1348
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales, the applicant, Danielle Murrie, sought to modify an existing demolition order related to a property at 3 Lightcliff Avenue, Lindfield. The Ku-ring-gai Council was the respondent. The case, which was heard on 24 September 2009, involved a previous decision from 3 February 2009 where three appeals related to the same property had been upheld. The primary legal issue before the court was whether the time for completing the demolition of a retaining wall and obtaining a certificate of structural adequacy should be extended beyond the initial order issued on 22 April 2008. The applicant argued for an extension due to unforeseen delays caused by commitments from the nominated builder and the necessity of engaging an alternative engineer for certification. The neighbours were notified of the proposed change and expressed no concerns.

The court considered the unforeseen delays and the necessity of an alternative engineer, as well as the lack of objections from the neighbours. It determined that there was no matter in dispute that would require further deliberation. Consequently, the court accepted the modification of the order by consent, allowing the completion of the works and the certification to be extended until 3 December 2009. The modification of the demolition order was thus effected as requested.

Orders

Orders of the court

Full text does not contain this section.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.