Webb v Chief Executive, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water

In Webb v Chief Executive, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water, the dispute centred on the valuation of land held by the plaintiff. The case was heard in the Queensland Land Court. The Chief Executive of the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water sought to determine the unimproved value of the land, which was critical for assessing any potential compensation due to the plaintiff. The plaintiff contested the valuation, arguing for a higher figure based on different methods of valuation.

The court was tasked with resolving the appropriate method of valuation and determining the unimproved value of the land. The key issue was whether sales evidence or relativities should be the primary method of valuation. The plaintiff argued for a valuation based on sales of comparable properties, while the Chief Executive favoured a relativity approach. The court had to weigh the merits of each method and decide which provided the most reliable and accurate valuation.

The court found that sales evidence was more reliable and should be preferred over relativities in this case. The court considered recent sales of comparable properties, taking into account the specific characteristics of the land in question. After examining the evidence, the court determined that the unimproved value of the land was One Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,150,000). The appeal was allowed, and this valuation was adopted as the correct value of the subject land.