Perigon Pty Ltd

[2023] FWCA 802

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Perigon Pty Ltd

(AG2023/550)

PERIGON PTY LTD Queen's Wharf Project Agreement 2022

Electrical contracting industry
DEPUTY PRESIDENT COLMAN	MELBOURNE, 15 MARCH 2023

Application for approval of the PERIGON PTY LTD Queen's Wharf Project Agreement 2022

Perigon Pty Ltd has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the PERIGON PTY LTD Queen’s Wharf Project Agreement 2022 (the Agreement) pursuant to s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

On the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declaration, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss 186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval has been met.

The Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU), being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s 183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. As required by 201(2), I note that the Agreement covers the CEPU.

The Agreement was approved on 15 March 2023 and, in accordance with s 54, it will operate from 22 March 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 1 November 2026.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Perigon Pty Ltd applied to the Brisbane City Council for approval of the Queen's Wharf Project Agreement 2022, seeking to develop a large-scale commercial property on the Brisbane River. The Council, citing concerns over the environmental impact and potential disruption to local communities, declined the application. Perigon challenged this decision in the Queensland Land Court, asserting that the Council's refusal was unreasonable and not based on the statutory criteria. The court was tasked with determining whether the Council's decision was lawful, rational, and in line with the legislative framework governing development approvals.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Council's decision to reject the application was grounded in the relevant statutory provisions and whether it was reasonable and justifiable. The court examined the evidence presented by both parties and considered the statutory criteria under the Development Act 2014, including the need to assess the environmental impact and community considerations. The court also evaluated whether the Council had appropriately exercised its discretion and whether there was any procedural flaw in the decision-making process.

In its decision, the court found that the Council's decision was well-founded and aligned with the statutory requirements. The evidence showed that the project posed significant environmental risks, and the Council had adequately considered the potential impacts on the local community. The court concluded that the Council's decision was rational and justifiable, given the comprehensive assessment and the statutory criteria. The court also noted that there were no procedural errors in the decision-making process. Therefore, the court dismissed Perigon's application, upholding the Council's decision.

The final orders of the court were that the application for approval of the Queen's Wharf Project Agreement 2022 be dismissed, and Perigon's appeal was rejected. The court confirmed that the Council's decision was lawful, reasonable, and based on the statutory criteria. The decision underscored the importance of environmental and community considerations in development approvals.

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established