Biodiversity cases

Cases considering whether a site or vegetation is part of an endangered ecological community (EEC)

BGP Properties Pty Ltd v Lake Macquarie City Council [2004] NSWLEC 399; (2004) 138 LGERA 237

B T Goldsmith Planning Services Pty Ltd v Blacktown City Council[2005] NSWLEC 210

Director-General, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water v Venn [2011] NSWLEC 118

Gales Holdings Pty Ltd v Tweed Shire Council [2008] NSWLEC 209

Hornsby Shire Council v Vitone Developments Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 272; (2003) 132 LGERA 122

Motorplex (Australia) Pty Ltd v Port Stephens Council [2007] NSWLEC 74

Newcastle & Hunter Valley Speleological Society Inc v Upper Hunter Shire Council and Stoneco Pty Limited [2010] NSWLEC 48

Plumb v Penrith City Council [2002] NSWLEC 223

Providence Projects Pty Ltd v Gosford City Council [2006] NSWLEC 52

Rocla Pty Ltd v Minister for Planning and Sutherland Shire Council[2007] NSWLEC 55

VAW (Kurri Kurri) Pty Ltd v Scientific Committee [2003] NSWCA 297; (2003) 58 NSWLR 631; (2003) 128 LGERA 419 affirming[2002] NSWLEC 60; (2002) 122 LGERA 231 (validity of listing by committee)

Cases considering whether there is likely to be a significant impact on a threatened species, threatened population or an endangered ecological community (EEC)

B T Goldsmith Planning Services Pty Ltd v Blacktown City Council[2005] NSWLEC 210

Byron Shire Businesses for the Future Inc v Byron Council and Holiday Villages (Byron Bay) Pty Ltd [1994] NSWLEC 159; (1994) 84 LGERA 434

Carstens v Pittwater Council [1999] NSWLEC 249; (1999) 111 LGERA 1

Central West Environment Council Inc v Orange City Council[2003] NSWLEC 131; (2003) 128 LGERA 169

Coffs Harbour City Council v Arrawarra Beach Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 365

Corbyn v Walker Corporation Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 75

Corowa v Geographe Point Pty Ltd [2007] NSWLEC 121; (2007) 154 LGERA 117

Davis v Gosford City Council [2012] NSWLEC 62

Friends of South West Rocks Inc v Machro Pty Limited and Ors[2004] NSWLEC 721; (2004) 136 LGERA 198

Friends of Tumblebee Incorporated v ATB Morton Pty Limited (No 2) [2016] NSWLEC 16

Gales Holdings Pty Ltd v Tweed Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 212

Gales Holdings Pty Ltd v Tweed Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 85

Gales Holdings Pty Ltd v Tweed Shire Council [2008] NSWLEC 209

Gerroa Environment Protection Society Inc v Minister for Planning and Cleary Bros (Bombo) Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 173

Helman v Byron Shire Council (1995) 87 LGERA 349

Hornsby Shire Council v Vitone Developments Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 272

Ingham Planning Pty Ltd v Ku-ring-gai Council [2010] NSWLEC 1222
Ironstone Community Action Group Inc v NSW Minister for Planning and Duralie Coal Pty Ltd [2011] NSWLEC 195

Motorplex (Australia) Pty Ltd v Port Stephens Council [2007] NSWLEC 74

Nambucca Valley Conservation Association v Nambucca Shire Council [2010] NSWLEC 38

Newcastle & Hunter Valley Speleological Society Inc v Upper Hunter Shire Council and Stoneco Pty Limited [2010] NSWLEC 48; Newcastle & Hunter Valley Speleological Society Inc v Upper Hunter Shire Council and Stoneco Pty Limited (No 2) [2010] NSWLEC 104

Plumb v Penrith City Council [2002] NSWLEC 223

Smyth v Nambucca Shire Council [1999] NSWLEC 226; (1999) 105 LGERA 65

Timbarra Protection Coalition Inc v Ross Mining NL [1999] NSWCA 8; (1999) 46 NSWLR 55; (1999) 102 LGERA 52

Cases considering whether a species impact statement (SIS) is adequate

Nicholls v Director General of National Parks and Wildlife [1994] NSWLEC 155; (1994) 84 LGERA 397 (whether fauna impact statement is adequate under former s 92D of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974)

NSW Land and Housing Corporation v Campbelltown City Council[2002] NSWLEC 18; (2002) 126 LGERA 348

Providence Projects Pty Ltd v Gosford City Council [2006] NSWLEC 52

Western Sydney Conservation Alliance v Penrith City Council [2011] NSWLEC 244

Cases considering ecologically sustainable development - precautionary principle

Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Limited [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234

BGP Properties Pty Ltd v Lake Macquarie City Council [2004] NSWLEC 399; (2004) 138 LGERA 237

Hunter Environment Lobby Inc v Minister for Planning [2011] NSWLEC 221

Ironstone Community Action Group Inc v NSW Minister for Planning and Duralie Coal Pty Ltd [2011] NSWLEC 195

Leatch v National Parks and Wildlife Service [1993] NSWLEC 191; (1993) 81 LGERA 270

Newcastle & Hunter Valley Speleological Society Inc v Upper Hunter Shire Council and Stoneco Pty Limited [2010] NSWLEC 48; Newcastle & Hunter Valley Speleological Society Inc v Upper Hunter Shire Council and Stoneco Pty Limited (No 2) [ 2010] NSWLEC 104

Port Stephens Pearls Pty Ltd v Minister for Infrastructure and Planning [2005] NSWLEC 426

Taralga Landscape Guardians Inc v Minister for Planning and RES Southern Cross Pty Ltd [2007] NSWLEC 59; (2007) 161 LGERA 1

Walker v Minister for Planning [2007] NSWLEC 741; (2007) 157 LGERA 224, reversed by Minister for Planning v Walker [2008] NSWCA 224; (2008) 161 LGERA 423

Williams v Minister for Planning (No 2) [2011] NSWLEC 62

Cases considering biodiversity offsets

Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association Inc v Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and Warkworth Mining Limited  [2013] NSWLEC 48

Gales Holdings Pty Ltd v Tweed Shire Council [2008] NSWLEC 209

Gerroa Environment Protection Society Inc v Minister for Planning and Cleary Bros (Bombo) Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 173

Gerroa Environment Protection Society Inc v Minister for Planning and Cleary Bros (Bombo) Pty Ltd (No 2) [2008] NSWLEC 254

Glendinning Minto Pty Ltd v Gosford City Council [2010] NSWLEC 1151

Hunter Environment Lobby Inc v Minister for Planning [2011] NSWLEC 221

Ironstone Community Action Group Inc v NSW Minister for Planning and Duralie Coal Pty Ltd [2011] NSWLEC 195

Motorplex v Port Stephens Council (No 3) [2008] NSWLEC 1280

Newcastle & Hunter Valley Speleological Society Inc v Upper Hunter Shire Council and Stoneco Pty Limited [2010] NSWLEC 48

Newcastle & Hunter Valley Speleological Society Inc v Upper Hunter Shire Council and Stoneco Pty Limited (No 2) [2010] NSWLEC 104

Sanctuary Investments Pty Ltd v Baulkham Hills Shire Council[2006] NSWLEC 733; (2006) 153 LGERA 355.

Warkworth Mining Limited v Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association Inc [2014] NSWCA 105

Prosecution or civil enforcement of environmental offences involving biodiversity

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979

 

Cameron v Eurobodalla Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 47; (2006) 146 LGERA 349 (s 125)

Director-General, New South Wales Department of Industry and Investment v Mato Investments Pty Ltd (No 4) [2011] NSWLEC 227 (s 125)

Great Lakes Council v Lani [2007] NSWLEC 681; (2007) 158 LGERA 1 (s 76A)

Manly Council v Horizon Habitats Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 15 (s 76A)

Minister for Planning v Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 147 (s 125)

Thomson v Hawkesbury City Council [2009] NSWLEC 151 (ss 76A, 125)

Fisheries Management Act 1994

 

Director-General, New South Wales Department of Industry and Investment v Mato Investments Pty Ltd (No 4) [2011] NSWLEC 227 (s 220ZD)

Rosser v NSW Department of Primary Industries [2008] NSWLEC 109; (2008) 157 LGERA 418 (ss 205, 279)

Marine Parks Act 1997 and Marine Parks Regulation 1999

 

Sidhom v Robinson [2007] NSWLEC 408; (2007) 154 LGERA 169 (cl 7(1)(a))

National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974

 

Prosecution

Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Limited [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 (s 118A)

Carriage v Stockland Development Pty Limited & Ors [No 10][2005] NSWLEC 272 (ss 118A, 118D)

Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Bombala Investments Pty Ltd [2013] NSWLEC 185

Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Coffs Harbour Hardwoods Sales Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 52 (s 118A and s 156A)

Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Douglas Reitano (No 2) [2019] NSWLEC 39

Denning v Department of Environment and Conservation [2007] NSWLEC 258; (2007) 153 LGERA 200 (s 112G(1))

Department of Environment and Climate Change v Sommerville; Department of Environment and Climate Change v Ianna [2009] NSWLEC 194 (s 118A)

Director General of National Parks and Wildlife v Wilkinson [2002] NSWLEC 171 (s 118D(1))

Director-General, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water v Forestry Commission of New South Wales [2011] NSWLEC 102 (s 175)

Garrett v Freeman (No 4) [2007] NSWLEC 389 (s 118D)

Garrett v Freeman (No 5);Garrett v Port Macquarie Hastings Council; Carter v Port Macquarie Hastings Council [2009] NSWLEC 1; (2009) 164 LGERA 287 (s 118D)

Garrett on behalf of the Director-General of the Department of Conservation and Environment v House [2006] NSWLEC 492 (Harming of protected fauna s 98(2)(a))

Garrett v Dennis Charles Williams [2006] NSWLEC 785; 160 LGERA 115 (s 118A(2))

Garrett v Williams [2007] NSWLEC 56 (s 118A(2))

Goo v Office of Environment and Heritage [2016] NSWLEC 27 

Morris v Department of Environment and Climate Change [2008] NSWLEC 309 (appeal against severity of sentence imposed under ss 98(2)(a) and 133(4) for killing protected fauna )

Plath v Chaffey [2009] NSWLEC 196 (ss 98(2), 118A(1))

Plath v Fish [2010[ NSWLEC 144 (s 118D); 179 LGERA 386 (s 118D)

Plath v Knox [2007] NSWLEC 670 (s 156A)

Plath v Lithgow City Council [2011] NSWLEC 8 (s 118A)

Plath v Rawson [2009] NSWLEC 178; (2009) 170 LGERA 253 (s 118A(2))

Civil enforcement

Blue Mountains Conservation Society Inc v Director-General of National Parks and Wildlife [2004] NSWLEC 196 (ss 153A, 155)

Carriage v Stockland Development Pty Ltd (No 10) [2005] NSWLEC 272 (ss 118A(2), 118D(1))

Donnelly v Delta Gold Pty Ltd [2001] NSWLEC 55; (2001) 113 LGERA 34 (s 118D(1))

Director-General, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water v Venn [2011] NSWLEC 118 (principal judgment);

Director-General of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water v Venn (No 2) [2011] NSWLEC 232 (consequential orders)

Director-General, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water v Venn (No 3) [2012] NSWLEC 31 (consequential orders) (ss 118A, 156A)

Packham v Minister for the Environment (1993) 31 NSWLR 65; 80 LGERA 205 (NSWCA), overturning [1992] NSWLEC 71 (NSWLEC, Bignold J, 27 August 1992) (ss 145, 146, 151)

Willoughby City Council v Minister Administering National Parks and Wildlife Act (1992) 78 LGERA 19 (ss 47B, 47G, 471)

Woollahra Municipal Council v Minister for the Environment (1991) 23 NSWLR 710; 73 LGRA 379 (ss 151, 152)

Stop work or remediation orders

Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Kyluk Pty Limited (No 4) [2014] NSWLEC 74

Kyluk Pty Ltd v Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage  [2013] NSWCCA 114 (NSWCCA allowing the appeal against sentence, quashing the penalty imposed and remitting the matter to the Land and Environment Court)

Terranora Group Management Pty Ltd v Director-General Office of Environment & Heritage [2013] NSWLEC 198

Take or kill endangered fauna under former statutory provisions

Corkill v Forestry Commission of NSW (No 2) (1991) 73 LGRA 126, upheld by the NSW Court of Appeal (1991) 73 LGRA 247 (former ss 98 and 99)

Helman v Byron Shire Council (1995) 87 LGERA 349 (former s 99)

Leatch v National Parks and Wildlife Service (1993) 81 LGERA 270 (former s 99)

Native Vegetation Act 2003

 

Prosecution

Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Humphries [2013] NSWLEC 213

Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Kennedy[2012] NSWLEC 159 (s 12); affirmed in Kennedy v Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage [2014] NSWCCA 107

Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Rummery[2012] NSWLEC 271; in Rummery v Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage [2014] NSWCCA 106 (dismissing the appeal from conviction but allowing the appeal from the sentence imposed and reducing the fine)

Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Cory Ian Turnbull [2017] NSWLEC 140

Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Grant Wesley Turnbull [2017] NSWLEC 141 (Decision upheld on appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal: Turnbull v Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage [2018] NSWCCA 229)

Department of Environment and Climate Change v Olmwood Pty Limited [2010] NSWLEC 15

Department of Environment and Climate Change v Olmwood Pty Limited (No 2) [2010] NSWLEC 100 (s 12)

Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Calman Australia Pty Ltd [2009] NSWLEC 182 (s 12)

Director-General of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water v Graymarshall Pty Ltd (No.2) [2011] NSWLEC 149 (s 12)

Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Hudson [2009] NSWLEC 4; 165 LGERA 256 (s 12)

Hudson v Director-General, Department of Environment Climate Change and Water [2012] NSWCCA 92 (NSWCCA upholding the decision on conviction but quashing the sentence and remitting the proceedings back to the Land and Environment Court for the purpose of determining the appropriate sentence)

Director General, Department of the Environment, Climate Change and Water v Ian Colley Earthmoving Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 102 (s 12)

Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Jack & Bill Issa Pty Ltd (No 5) [2009] NSWLEC 232; (2009) 172 LGERA 225 (ss 12, 44)

Director-General, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water v Linklater [2011] NSWLEC 30 (s 21)

Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Mario Mura [2009] NSWLEC 233 (ss 12, 45)

Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae [2009] NSWLEC 137; (2009) 168 LGERA 121 (s 12)

Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Walker Corporation Pty Limited (No 2) [2010] NSWLEC 73; affirmed in Walker Corporation Pty Limited v Director-General, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water [ 2012] NSWCCA 210

Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Walker Corporation Pty Limited (No 4) [2011] NSWLEC 119 (principal judgment including sentence) (s 12)

Director-General of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water v Walker Corporation Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] NSWLEC 229 (principal judgment); Corbyn v Walker Corporation Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 75 (sentence) (s 12)

Civil enforcement

Hardie Holdings Pty Limited v Director-General of the Department of Natural Resources [2007] NSWLEC 39; (2007) 151 LGERA 373 (s 36)

Joly Pty Ltd v Director-General of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water [2009] NSWLEC 217 affirmed in Joly Pty Ltd v Director-General, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water [2012] NSWCA 133 (s 38)

Turnbull v Director-General, Office of Environment and Heritage [2014] NSWLEC 84

Walker Corporation Pty Ltd v Director-General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change (No 2) [2009] NSWLEC 177

Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 (repealed)

 

Prosecution

Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Gleeson; Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Epacris Pty Ltd [2009] NSWLEC 42; (2009) 165 LGERA 99 (s 47)

Director-General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change v Taylor [2007] NSWLEC 530 (s 21)

Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Wilton [2008] NSWLEC 297 (ss 17, 21)

Director-General of the Department of Land and Water Conservation v Bailey [2003] NSWLEC 160; (2003) 128 LGERA 1; affirmed in part by Director-General Department of Land and Water Conservation v Bailey [2003] NSWCCA 361; (2003) 136 LGERA 242 (ss 12, 21)

Director-General of the Department of Land and Water Conservation v Greentree [2002] NSWLEC 102 affirmed in Director-General of Department of Land and Water Conservation v Greentree [2003] NSWCCA 31; (2003) 131 LGERA 234; (2003) 140 A Crim R 25 (s 21)

Director-General of Department of Land and Water Conservation v Jackson [2003] NSWLEC 81; (2003) 125 LGERA 304 (s 12)

Director-General of Department of Land and Water Conservation v Leverton Pastoral Company Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 212 (s 21)

Director-General of National Parks and Wildlife v Wilkinson [2002] NSWLEC 171 (s 21)

Great Lakes Council v Lani [2007] NSWLEC 681; (2007) 158 LGERA 1 (ss 12, 21)

Stop work or remediation orders

Buttsworth v Director-General of Department of Land and Water Conservation [2003] NSWLEC 169; (2003) 127 LGERA 170 (s 47)

Director-General of Department of Land and Water Conservation v Prime Grain Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 93; (2002) 124 LGERA 233 (s 46; sch 4, pt 2 cl 3)

Hanwood Pastoral Co Pty Ltd v Director-General, Department of Natural Resources [2005] NSWLEC 664 (s 46)

Holmes v Director-General of Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources [2005] NSWLEC 264 (s 47)

Landers v Director-General, Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources [2005] NSWLEC 284 (s 47)

Oates & Anor v Director General of the Department of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources [2004] NSWLEC 164 (ss 21, 26, 47, 48)

Slack-Smith v Director-General of Department of Land and Water Conservation [2003] NSWLEC 189 (s 47)

Wilderness Act

 

Blue Mountains Conservation Society Inc v Director-General of National Parks and Wildlife [2004] NSWLEC 196 (ss 8, 9 and 19)

Cases concerning criminal and civil proceedings for the removal of trees without development consent

Cameron v Eurobodalla Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 47; (2006) 146 LGERA 349 (Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 125)

Council of the Municipality of Kiama v Watkins [2012] NSWLEC 87 (Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 125)

Gittany Constructions Pty Limited v Sutherland Shire Council[2006] NSWLEC 242; (2006) 145 LGERA 189 (Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 125)

Gosford City Council v Forrester [2010] NSWLEC 49; (2010) 172 LGERA 400 (Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 125)

Gosford City Council v Tauszik [2005] NSWLEC 183 (principal judgment); Gosford City Council v Tauszik [2005] NSWLEC 266 (sentence); conviction quashed on appeal in Tauszik v Gosford City Council [2006] NSWCCA 193; (2006) 146 LGERA 428 (Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 125)

Hunters Hill Council v Carter [2018] NSWLEC 84

Hunters Hill Council v Liu [2018] NSWLEC 108

Kari & Ghossayn Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 532; (2006) 150 LGERA 231 (Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 125)

Parks and Playgrounds Movement Inc v Newcastle City Council[2010] NSWLEC 231; 179 LGERA 346 (Roads Act 1993 s 88; Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 ss 76A, 111, 112)

Pittwater Council v Scahill [2009] NSWLEC 12; (2009) 165 LGERA 289 (Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 125)

Woollahra Municipal Council v Sahade [2012] NSWLEC 76 (Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 s 76A)