Property & Projects 12 May 2010

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Latest news

National

Australia mining stocks slide after profit tax
3 May 2010
Australian mining shares tumbled on Monday after the government slapped the industry with a new 40 percent profits tax, prompting global miners to warn that billions of dollars in new projects were at risk.  

Electricity prices will continue to increase, despite shelving of the ETS
29 April 2010
Households across Australia face steadily rising power bills, despite Kevin Rudd’s backflip on the emissions trading scheme. Energy industry players yesterday named decaying infrastructure, rising demand, a growing population and the cost of renewable energy as key factors pushing up the price of electricity  More...

Scientists, others, vent anger over Rudd Government ETS delay
28 April 2010
The backlash over the Federal Government’s decision to shelve its key policy to fight climate change  and delay the introduction of an emissions trading scheme (ETS) until the end of 2012, continues with climate scientists, investors and union groups attacking the move  More...

Carbon ‘Free’ permits a waste of money
24 April 2010
The Grattan Institute paper released this week, Restructuring the Australian Economy to Emit Less Carbon, concludes that $22 billion in “free” permits, to be issued to heavy polluters under the proposed carbon pollution reduction scheme over the next decade, is a waste of taxpayers’ money. The paper recommends an alternative to free permits - a border adjustment based on carbon emissions intensity, to ensure imports are treated equally  More... 

Land goes begging as water’s offloaded: Murray-Darling Basin
29 April 2010
Prices paid for water entitlements in the Murray-Darling Basin are falling, with water the only remaining asset for many hard-hit grape growers. Many small wine grape growers in the region had sold their water, but were unable to sell their land, and under Victorian laws properties could not be subdivided if they were zoned for farming More...

Measuring the performance of Australia’s water utilities
28 April 2010
The Parliamentary Secretary for Water, Dr Mike Kelly, has launched two national report cards that tell Australians how well their urban water utilities and rural water providers are performing. Australia’s urban water utilities made a record investment in 2008–09 of $8.1 billion, with a 90% increase reflects the timing of major capital works programs. 

Victoria

Planning the future of the Williamstown foreshore
29 April 2010
Better boating facilities, increased moorings and improved foreshore facilities are key parts of the 10-year strategic plan for the Williamstown Foreshore. Releasing the Williamstown Foreshore Strategic Plan today, Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said Williamstown was one of 12 priority maritime precincts around the State identified for important development works by the Victorian Government’s Bays and Maritime Initiative  More...

Madden to decide power plant fate
28 April 2010
Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden will decide if land can be rezoned for the development of an $800 million gas-fired power plant at Orford, north of Port Fairy  More...

Towards an intermodal freight future for Melbourne
27 April 2010
The Brumby Labor Government today called for community and industry input into its proposal to develop a network of intermodal freight terminals across Melbourne. He said the paper proposed three principal rail-to-road intermodal terminals to the west, north and south-east of Melbourne, complemented by a number of road-to-road terminals sited to service freight activity  More...

$330 million residential development for Point Lonsdale
22 April 2010
Planning Minister Justin Madden has approved a major $330 million residential and waterways development on the Bellarine Peninsula subject to strict planning controls. Mr Madden said the combined amendment and planning permit sets additional planning controls for the developer, including an environmental bond to ensure all stages of the subdivision comply with the Landscape Plan  More...

New South Wales

National land tax tops list of pleas for Henry
29 April 2010
The Australian Property Council is hoping the Henry tax review will include a national system for land tax in a move to free the real estate industry of red tape and inconsistent levies. Property Council of Australia chief executive Peter Verwer said a national (land tax) system will be less distorting and investment decisions will be made purely on market grounds  More...

Hume Highway Upgrade Fully Approved by NSW Government
29 April 2010
The NSW Government has today given planning approval for the 9.5 kilometre Holbrook Bypass. Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, said this is the last step in the Hume Highway Upgrade Program jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments. A total of 63 strict conditions have been imposed following public exhibition and assessment of the environmental impacts of the project. 

Sydney Land Supply at Record Levels according to MDP Report
27 April 2010
Housing in Sydney is well placed to rebound strongly with 125,000 homes currently at the planning or construction stage in existing areas and land for 69,000 new homes zoned for building in greenfield areas. The latest Metropolitan Development Program (MDP) report released today shows housing construction has turned the corner and is forecast to exceed 27,000 new homes a year by 2012/13 - up from an estimated 18,600 last year Sydney Land Supply at Record Levels - New Report.

Demand could force pokie licence fee rise
26 April 2010
The price of poker-machine entitlements in NSW is set to rise, triggered by an unprecedented surge in demand by the listed pub operator National Leisure and Gaming. More than 100 licences may have to be bought by publicans who lease their hotels to the operator. It can demand publican landlords buy them under a clause in their leases. However, landlords may be able to refuse to buy them if they believe it will not increase the hotel’s value  More...

Woolies pub fails to sell in weak market
22 April 2010
Woolworths biggest NSW hotel in terms of its poker machine turnover yesterday failed to sell at auction, illustrating the continuing softness of the market and fears over proposed changes to gambling legislation. The Cambridge Tavern at Fairfield was among three A-grade NSW hotels leased to premium tenant Woolworths-controlled Australian Leisure & Hospitality Group which did not sell  More...

More competition, lower prices
19 April 2010
Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly said the NSW Government would implement the recommendations of a review that looked into promoting economic growth and commercial competition through the planning system. NSW is the first state to strip back planning requirements that lead to anti-competitive behaviour in the retail industry and will be implementing these recommendations to increase competition in retail businesses. More Competition, Lower Prices  More...

Green energy plan to generate more income for families
19 April 2010
Solar electricity generation systems up to one hectare in size and domestic wind turbines which meet strict noise limits, may soon be able to be approved in just 10 days. Minister for Planning, Tony Kelly, said under the proposed changes which go on public exhibition from today, families would be allowed to more easily earn income from their domestic wind and solar systems under the NSW Government’s generous feed-in tariff scheme Media release.

Queensland

Preferred developers named for new Abbott Point coal terminals
29 April 2010
The North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation has named BHP Billiton and Hancock Coal as its preferred developers to build two new single use terminals, which will export an estimated 110 million tonnes of coal per year. Bulk ports’ acting chief executive, Jeff Stuart-Harris, says there is also room to expand in the future and both companies are already looking at what infrastructure upgrades are needed  More...

10 year ban for real estate employee
25 April 2010
An investigation by the Office of Fair Trading has resulted in a Kangaroo Point-based resident letting agent and his company being banned from holding licences under the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 for ten years after ripping off unit owners. His company Brass Properties No 1 Pty Ltd was also banned for 10 years  More...

$490 m for Gladstone as plans underway to handle LNG boom
22 April 2010
The Premier said the Sustainable Resource Communities Policy was one of the key planning measures to help manage the LNG boom, backed by a $100 million fund of which $37 million has been provided for projects in Central Queensland and $23.6 million for the Surat and $30 million to acquire a land corridor to accommodate LNG pipelines to Curtis Island  More...

Northern Link Tunnel receives conditional approval
23 April 2010
Planning for the $1.7 billion Northern Link Road Tunnel in Brisbane has reached another milestone with the Coordinator-General granting conditional approval for the project. Coordinator-General Colin Jensen said the 34 conditions in the evaluation report were the most extensive and stringent ever for a transport infrastructure project in Queensland, and included extra controls developed from experience gained with other road tunnel projects in Brisbane  More...

Government says developer infrastructure fees remain
28 April 2010
The Queensland Government says there is no plan to relieve developers of their responsibility to pay infrastructure charges in subdivisions. The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) says the move would force ratepayers to pick up the cost through massive rate rises  More...

Land at Woolloongabba to become vibrant precinct
26 April 2010
The block, adjacent to the Gabba, and bordered by Stanley and Vulture Streets has been declared an Urban Development Area (UDA). Infrastructure and Planning Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the State Government’s Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA) would complete a concept master plan for the area within 12 months with an Interim Land Use Plan will protect the area from premature or inappropriate development  More...

New CBD planned for South East Queensland
22 April 2010
The Queensland Government has approved a business precent in Greater Springfield with a land area bigger than the Sydney and Brisbane CBDs combined. Springfield Land Corporation, located approx 26km south west of Brisbane, is now looking for a major partner to ensure South East Queensland has a second CBD capable of comfortably looking after 30,000 workers every day  More...

Queensland to seek rail access certification
22 April 2010
The Queensland Government will apply to the National Competition Council for certification for the State’s rail access regime, Treasurer Andrew Fraser said today. NCC certification provides access seekers, infrastructure operators and other parties – including potential QR National investors - with continuing certainty about how access will be regulated  More...

Port of Brisbane up for lease
22 April 2010
Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser has invited bids for a 99-year lease on the Port of Brisbane – Australia’s premier multi-purpose cargo port. There is no sale of freehold land in the Port of Brisbane transaction. The State expects to finalise the lease and announce the winning bid before the end of 2010, subject to market conditions More...

ACCC authorises arrangements to close coal terminal at Gladstone Port
The ACCC has authorised arrangements to transfer specified amounts of coal handling capacity from the Barney Point coal terminal to the proposed Wiggins Island terminal at the Port of Gladstone in Queensland.  Coal handling capacity includes port terminal services, coal handling services and coal storage facilities More...  

Real Estate Agency pays the price for illegal telemarketing
20 April 2010
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has penalised Queensland real estate agency Bruce Harry Real Estate $6,600 for making calls to numbers on the Do Not Call Register and complaints about 289 real estate businesses since the register began almost three years ago  More...

Articles

National

Second registered charge a “mirage”
Author:
Christensen, Sharon
Source:
Australian Property Law Bulletin, 2010, Vol 24, No 7, April, pp94-95

Berth rights: is marina berth an interest in land?
Author:
Jones, Stephen E
Source:
Australian Property Law Bulletin, 2010, Vol 24, No 7, April, pp96-97

Sub-lessee’s fixtures: who has right to remove upon termination of sub lease
Author:
Duncan, Bill
Source:
Australian Property Law Bulletin, 2010, Vol 24, No 7, April, pp98-99

Purchasing property to lease to a straw man company: a lawyer’s duty to advise regarding risks
Author:
Merrett, Sarah
Source:
Australian Property Law Bulletin, 2010, Vol 24, No 7, April, pp100

Double illusion: parting with possession, or occupation by proxy?
Author: Jones, Stephen E
Source: Australian Property Law Bulletin, 2010, Vol 24, No 7, April, pp101-105

Queensland

Queensland Treasury Corporation Report
The Queensland Treasury Corporation summary report on council submissions regarding the costs of their local government amalgamations. This includes 24 of the 25 councils, with the Torres Strait Island Regional Council subject to separate review Review of Local Government Amalgamation Costs Funding Submissions - Final Summary Report (  256 KB)

Practice notes/directions

Victoria

The Activity Centres Toolkit: Making it Happen and the revised Draft Structure Planning Practice Note for Activity Centres
Consultation with the community, landowners and other stakeholders remain important elements of the structure planning process and the revised Practice Note allows for a more focused approach to community consultation, most importantly at the draft structure plan stage. The revisions also provide guidance to councils on the important statutory and non-statutory implementation requirements, including the application of planning scheme provisions, development facilitation and the role of place managers. Available from the DPCD website – www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning

Expressions of Interest: Shaping Melbourne’s Freight Future Discussion Paper
The paper put forward an innovative approach to moving growing volumes of port-related freight around Melbourne. A series of workshops will be held at various locations around Melbourne, starting in June this year, and written submissions can be lodged until 30 September, 2010. Expressions of interest to attend the workshops and written submissions can be directed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   A copy of the discussion paper can be found at www.transport.vic.gov.au/freight

Approved Plans
Melbourne C155: Inserts a new Design and Development Overlay Schedule 58 to Clause 43.02, over land at 312-332 St Kilda Road, Southbank. Updates the list of bodies that require to be given notice of an application to include the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees as part of the schedule to Clause 66.06.

Melbourne C159:  Amends the schedule to Clause 61.01 to make the Minister for Planning the Responsible Authority for the Melbourne Park Redevelopment Area, amends the schedule to Clause 52.03 “Specific Sites and Exclusions” and the schedule to Clause 81.01 to include the “Melbourne Park Redevelopment February 2010 Incorporated Document”.

Currently Inviting Submissions
Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee’s Issues and Options Paper - Comments by Monday, 10 May 2010.

Ports and Environs Advisory Committee Discussion Paper - Comments by Friday, 14 May 2010.

Shaping Victoria 2010: Embracing rural change forum
The second annual planners forum for planning and community development professionals. forum will be held in Shepparton on 1-2 June 2010 and will feature keynote speakers, field trips and discussion groups. The forum will explore ways of preparing for, responding and adapting to, future planning challenges in rural and regional Victoria. Shaping Victoria 2010 - Embracing rural change.

Major Case List for VCAT
From 3 May 2010, planning developments worth more than $5 million will be heard in the new Major Cases List of VCAT. The Major Cases List will operate as a sub-list of the Planning and Environment List. For further information about the Major Cases List please visit the VCAT website.

New South Wales

Review report: Promoting Economic Growth and Competition through the Planning System
In May 2009, the Department of Planning and the Better Regulation Office released a discussion paper to facilitate discussion on what elements of the NSW planning system promote or detract from opportunities for competition and economic growth. The final report was released in April 2010. The Department of Planning and the Better Regulation Office are working on implementing the report’s recommendations  More...

Discussion papers: New planning provisions for small wind and solar systems
19 April 2010
Proposed state wide provisions for small wind and solar systems aimed at making it easier for people to install small wind and solar systems by simplifying planning processes for systems that have no or minimal environmental and local amenity impacts. Discussion papers are now available for comment:

Discussion Paper on Planning for Renewable Energy Generation – Small Wind Turbines

Discussion Paper on Planning for Renewable Energy Generation – Solar Energy  More...

Queensland

Queensland Greenspace Strategy Draft: comment
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe is urging all Queenslanders to have their say on the Draft Queensland Greenspace Strategy which provides a guide to future planning and development of green space in Queensland before Friday 7 May. 

Implementation of energy efficiency requirements
22 April 2010
Queensland Development Code (QDC) modifications to the Building Code of Australia (BCA) energy efficiency requirements commence on 1 May 2010. Building development applications approved on or after 1 May 2010 must comply with the new 6-star standard as set in the QDC and BCA 2010  More...

Planning and Environment Court: practice direction
Chief Judge PM Wolfe released Practice Direction No.1 of 2010 which relates to case management procedures. Read the practice direction.

Legislation

National 

Federal Court of Australia Act No 156 1976
29 April 2010
Act Compilation (current) - C2010C00330 Number: No. 156, 1976 An Act to create a Federal Court of Australia and to make provision with respect to the Jurisdiction of that Court incorporating Amendments to: Act No. 36 of 2010  More...

Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Amendment Regulations 2010 (No. 1)
19 April 2010
These Regulations amend the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 to streamline requirements for controlling the use of ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases in the refrigeration and air conditioning, fire protection and methyl bromide industries SLI 2010 No. 64  More...

Queensland

Acts

No 15 Land Tax Act 2010 (21/04/10) Explanatory Memorandum  Second Reading Speech

The Act establishes the definitions of ‘taxable land’, ‘owner of land’; and provides for the assessment and rate of land tax to be imposed in specified situations. It also contains provisions dealing with the declaration of exempt land, security and recovery of land tax, and tax avoidance schemes. This Act commences on 30 June 2010

No 16 Credit (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2010 (21/04/10)

No 17 Mines and Energy Legislation Amendment Act 2010 (21/04/10)

No 18 Architects Amendment Act 2010 (21/04/10)

Cases

Victoria

McLaughlin and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd [2010] AATA 266
Aviation – airports and air services – airports – master plan amended as proposed satisfies requirements of Airports Act 1996 (Cth) – minor amendments proposed do not warrant refusing approval – matter be listed for further directions on a date to be fixed.  Powers and functions – power of Tribunal limited by s 81(2) Airports Act 1996 (Cth) to approving plan or refusing to approve plan  More...

Achieve Foundation Limited v ACNewCo Limited; In the Matter of Achieve Foundation Limited and The Crowle Foundation Limited [2010] FCA 382
Corporations – Schemes of Arrangement – whether property when used in s 413 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) includes future property – whether future bequests made to pre-merger charitable corporations which remain in existence after the merger date can be the subject of an order made at the time a scheme is approved to the effect that such bequests should be paid to a different and separate corporation being the recipient of the assets and liabilities of the pre-merger corporations as part of the terms of the scheme – property in s 413 held to include such future bequests – orders made as sought.  Words and phrases - property when used in s 413 of the Corporations Act – held that the term includes future bequests made to a charitable corporation More...

Solak v Registrar of Titles & Ors (No 2) [2010] VSC 146
Estoppel – Anshun estoppel – Application for summary dismissal on ground of anshun estoppel – Original proceeding concerned fraudulent mortgage – Registrar of Titles was not a party to original proceeding – Whether unreasonable of the Plaintiff to refrain from raising his cause of action against the Registrar in the earlier proceeding – Possibility of conflicting judgments – Relitigation of issues - Real property – Torrens system – Mortgages – Registration of forged instrument – Indefeasibility of title – Entitlement to statutory indemnity – Transfer of Land Act 1958 (Vic) ss 110(1)(b), (c) and 109(3)  More...

Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group Ltd v Trust Company Fiduciary Services Ltd (No 2) [2010] VSC 119
Costs – Application for specific performance or costs agreement – Issues not pleaded – Apportionment - Parties elected to have the case decided on limited issues.  Where the lease under consideration was one of 105 identical leases, each with the potential to expose the parties to similar disputes  More...

Roads Corporation v Love [2010] VSC 154
Land compensation – Costs of disputed claim – General principles – Non-applicability of rules relating to offers of compromise – Potential relevance of Calderbank offer – Issues based awards of costs – Costs consequent upon refusal of Calderbank offer – Special award of costs – Incidental questions of costs – Three counsel – Reserved costs – Costs of transcript – Mediation order – Section 91 Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986  More...

Roads Corporation v Love [2010] VSC 153
Courts and judges – Apprehension of bias principle – Compulsory land acquisition case fixed for trial – Expert planning evidence of central importance – Nominated trial judge having 9 years earlier personally engaged expert planning witness now relied upon as one party’s sole expert planning witness – Judge recuses himself  More...

Structured Property Pty Ltd v Tirli-Bennett & Anor [2010] VSC 129
Trade practices – magistrates’ court - Appeal under s 109 of the Magistrates’ Court Act 1989 – Alleged breach of s 9 Fair Trading Act 1985, ss 6(3), 52 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) - Claim for damages under s 159 Fair Trading Act 1985, s 82 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) - Purchase of rent roll – Representations as to likely losses of landlords - Whether conduct misleading or deceptive - Whether representations in trade or commerce – Loss of a commercial opportunity – Assessment of loss More...

Alamanda Property Investments No 2 Pty Ltd (formerly known as Dollarforce Financial Services Pty Ltd) (ACN 006 574 796) and Clestus Weerappah (Mernda Developments Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) & Anor v Alamanda Property Investments No 2 Pty Ltd & Anor) [2010] VSC 132
Corporations law – Shadow Directors – Breach of duty – Avoidance of contract  More...

Williamstown Bay & River Cruises Pty Ltd v Secretary Department of Infrastructure (Land Valuation) [2010] VCAT 415
Section 80 Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986, Section 41 Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986, expiration of licences and mooring rights in place or lost prior to resumption, continuation of occupation or holding over, market value negligible or nil, special value nil, loss attributable to disturbance, total extinguishment of the business, trading losses, characteristics of acquired site, availability of alternative sites for relocation, alternative moorings, state of the business  More...

Mirvac Victoria Pty Ltd v Port Phillip CC [2010] VCAT 422
Section 80 Planning and Environment Act 1987; Port Phillip Planning Scheme; Residential 1 Zone; Section 18(1A) Subdivision Act 1988; Public Open Space contribution  More...

Goulburn-Murray Rural Water Authority v Rawalpindi Nominees Pty Ltd & Reid [2010] VSC 166
Contract – General contractual principles – Formation - Determining intention from conduct and communications between parties - Masters v Cameron [1954] HCA 72; (1954) 91 CLR 353 - Intention to postpone the creation of contractual relations until the execution of formal document – Whether a concluded contract - Relevant considerations.  Statutes – Interpretation – Presumed legislative intention – Minister’s power to exempt an authority from statutory requirement - General approaches to interpretation – Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 28; (1998) 194 CLR 355 - Strict construction of statutory provision to ensure procedural fairness – Notice requirement - Whether non-compliance with statutory requirement amounts to invalidity – s 96 Water Act 1989 (Vic) More...

Coastal Seafarms Holdings Pty Ltd & Anor v Port of Portland Pty Ltd [2010] VSC 167
Practice and procedure – Parties – Apportionable claim – Concurrent wrongdoers – Application by defendant to join alleged concurrent wrongdoer as an additional party – Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic) Part IVAA.  Coastal Seafarms alleges that they have suffered erosion damage to their property as a result of the breakwater at the Port  More...

Pumpa & Ors v Goulburn-Murray Rural Water Corporation [2010] VSC 169
Water – Statutory liability for damage related to flows of water – Claim by primary producers against local water authority – Allegation that water had flowed from salinity mitigation works and irrigation channel causing increase of salinity of land and groundwater and fall in productivity – Plaintiffs appeal against decision of VCAT to summarily dismiss the proceeding – Whether VCAT erred in holding that damage must be caused to some extent by flow of water as distinct from the water itself or the chemical composition of the water – Whether in any event VCAT mischaracterised the plaintiffs’ claims – Whether VCAT should have permitted amendment – Appeal allowed – Water Act 1989, ss 3, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 157 – Murray Darling Basin Act 1993, s 17(3) – Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998, ss 75, 148  More...

National Australia Bank Limited v Spagnolo & Anor [2010] VSC 160
Caveat – Application to remove caveat – Service of application – s 90(3) Transfer of Land Act 1958 (Vic)  More...

Casey CC v Environment Protection Authority (General) [2010] VCAT 453
General list; Freedom of Information Act 1982; Documents generated by Environment Protection Authority relative to sub-surface migration of methane gas from landfill; Exemptions relied on Section 35(1) and 30(1) Freedom of Information Act 1982; ‘email chain’ with overseas environmental agencies; Record of internal meetings and determinations; email chain not exempt; record of internal meetings not exempt save for certain limited passages; no occasion to apply public interest override; Freedom of Information Act 1982 Section 50(4)  More...

Alanvale Pty Ltd & Anor v Southern Rural Water & Ors (includes Summary) (Red Dot) [2010] VCAT 480
Application – significant, interesting or unusual use or development; application of policy, provision or principle; or circumstances.  Applications under section 64 of the Water Act 1989 to review decision of water authority not grant licences for extraction of groundwater – consideration of inputs and outputs of water balance for aquifer – sustainability of groundwater resource – impacts of climate change and climate variability on rainfall recharge of aquifer – application of precautionary principle  More...

State of Victoria v Tymbook Pty Ltd & Anor (Retail Tenancies) [2010] VCAT 418
Retail Leases Act 2003 – order for the return of decorative lights not complied with – Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 s.133 - offence not to comply with non-monetary order of Tribunal – section does not make the Crown itself liable for an offence (s.7(2)) – issue of certificate under s.12(1)(c) that order appropriate for filing in the Supreme Court – whether any further orders can be made thereafter altering or amending original order - issue of Interim protection order under Heritage Act 1995 – application for order that successful Respondent apply for a permit under the Heritage Act 1995 to enable Applicant to comply with order refused - jurisdiction to make further orders following final order considered  More...

Tang v Williams Company Pty Ltd (Civil Claims) [2010] VCAT 411
Retail tenancy – sale of dental practice carried on at rented premises – vendor in holding over period – fee charged for landlord’s consent to purchaser becoming tenant – new lease signed – whether assignment of lease or transfer of tenancy - whether vendor obliged to pay fee charged - whether misleading conduct  More...

Queensland

Mirvac Queensland Pty Ltd v Beioley & Anor  [2010] QSC 113
Contracts – building, engineering and related contracts – generally – where the plaintiff agreed to sell to the defendants an apartment in a building that was not yet constructed – where the proposed apartment was identified on a plan by reference to the lot number, the internal area, the area of the two balconies and the total area of the proposed apartment – where each of those areas within the actual apartment was less than indicated on the plan – whether the plaintiff was required to inform the defendants of those changes under the Land Sales Act – whether the plaintiff’s failure to so inform the defendants amounted to a repudiation of the contract – whether those changes in area constituted a breach of contract  More...

Leonard v Bundaberg Regional Council [2010] QPEC 035
Planning and environment - Appeal from decision of the Building and Development Tribunal - Section 4.1.37 Integrated Planning Act 1997 - whether there was an error or mistake in law - jurisdictional error – invalid service of information request - deemed refusal More...

Roscho Investments Pty Ltd & Ors v The Body Corporate for the Residences CTS 27131 [2010] QCAT 117
Body Corporate and Community Management Act - Adjustment of Contribution Schedule Lot Entitlements.   

Pacific Paradise Resort Pty Ltd v Sunshine Coast Regional Council  [2010] QPEC 037
Planning and environment – originating application seeking declaratory relief that contributions payable under headworks infrastructure conditions in sub-divisional and rezoning approvals have been paid, whether Policy to which conditions refer was lawful and/ or uncertain.  Evidence – where application amended substantially a number of times, where applicant alleges Council did not comply with law in amending Policy by increasing contribution rates; where applicant’s case relies almost entirely on documents produced by disclosure and/ or subpoena, where presumption of regularity applies and applicant has onus of establishing that Council acted unlawfully.  Estoppel – whether the sealing of Plans by Council for various stages of a 5 stage development constitutes an estoppel by conduct

Costs – where applicant seeks reserved costs of aborted earlier hearing on the basis that Council failed to comply with the Courts procedural requirements  More...

Collard v Brisbane City Council [2010] QPEC 039
Application to change development approval constituted by a court order which envisaged a maximum height above natural ground level of 9.5 metres - sloping site where a stepped roof was envisaged in original plans - applicant’s private certifier and draftsperson produced plans used in construction incorporating a flat roof with exceedences along the eastern wall from 0.2 metre to 0.5 metre - Council (and the more affected downhill neighbours) supportive of applicant who was considered blameless - whether “permissibile change” - court required to consider putative submissions in uphill neighbour already a submitter, who filed affidavit material in opposition to the application but decided not to participate in the hearing  More...

Cameron v Cavric P/L t/a Cavalier Homes Mackay  [2010] QCAT 114
Whether an agreement to terminate a contract was such as to relinquish any rights to claim damages as a result of breach of that contract. 2. Consideration of the effect of “betterment” in the assessment of damages, when a better house was built by the applicant in mitigation of her loss when the house that the applicant originally contracted for was not built. 3. Whether damages for notional loss of rent for the period of delay in the completion of the construction of a house should take into account interest that would have been paid on borrowings when the ability to pay off the when the interest on the borrowings has merely been delayed.  Haines v Bendall (1991) 172 CLR 60 at page 63 Cattanach v Melchior 215 CLR 1 at paragraph 101 Hyder Consulting (Aust) Pty Ltd v. Wilh Wilhelmsen Agency Pty. Ltd. The Maersk Colombo [2001] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 275 Consort Express Lines Ltd v J-Mac Pty Ltd (2006) 232 A.L.R. 341 at [14] Port Kembla Coal Terminal Ltd v Braverus Maritime Inc (2004) 140 FCR 445 at 542 [485]-[486] per Hely J Harbutt’s Plasticine v Wayne Tank and Pump Co Limited [1970] 1 QB 447 at 473 Pegler v Want (UK) Ltd [2000] All E.R. 260 Hyder Consulting (Aust) Pty Ltd v Wilh Wilhelmsen Agency Pty Ltd [2001] N.S.W.C.A. 313 v Rodier [2006] N.S.W.S.C. 282 Campbell J observed at [143] Paper Australia Pty Ltd v Ansell Ltd [2007] V.S.C. 484 Davidson v JS Gilbert Fabrications Pty Ltd  More...