Court declares development application for telecommunications tower unlawful
In brief – The Planning and Environment Court made declarations that the assessment of a telecommunication facility was code and not impact assessable under the local government’s planning scheme, and consequently the decision of the local government to assess the application on the basis it was impact assessable was void and of no effect. This […]
ReadmoreVictorian Government demonstrates commitment to renewable energy with ambitious targets
The Andrews Government has demonstrated its commitment to the renewable energy industry and combating climate change by introducing a bill to the Victorian parliament last Thursday which will legislate ambitious new renewable energy targets. Partner Meg Lee and Senior Associate Kate Kirby report. What is the target? The new Victorian renewable energy targets (VRETs) […]
ReadmoreSetting the standard for PFAS management in Australia – PFAS NEPM consultation paper released
Australia and New Zealand have moved one step closer to establishing a framework to manage PFAS, a manufactured chemical which has emerged as a contaminant of concern worldwide over the recent years and this year has been the basis for two class actions in Australia. PFAS, short for per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, has become an issue […]
ReadmoreNo compensation for the developer after Court refuses application to convert non-trunk infrastructure to trunk infrastructure – Insights for developers and infrastructure providers
In brief –The Planning and Environment Court has for the first time decided an application by a developer to convert non-trunk infrastructure to trunk infrastructure. In a decision that has significant financial implications for developers and infrastructure providers, the Court refused the application and provided guidance on the determination of future conversion applications. Implications […]
ReadmoreChanges to a staged residential subdivision in Burnside were considered to be permissible changes
Highgate Developments Pty Ltd v Sunshine Coast Regional Council – What’s the case about? The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the matter of Highgate Developments Pty Ltd v Sunshine Coast Regional Council [2017] QPEC37 which involved a permissible change request made by Highgate Developments Pty Ltd to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council […]
ReadmoreCouncil was ordered to pay the applicant’s costs insofar as it related to a hearing to determine whether conditions ought to be included in a development approval for a residential development in Morayfield
The Planning and Environment Court in the matter of Wust v Moreton Bay Regional Council (No. 2) [2017] QPEC 36 made an order requiring the Moreton Bay Regional Council to pay Brian Wust’s costs of the appeal to the extent that the costs related to the disputed conditions. Otherwise, each party was to bear their […]
ReadmoreDenial of procedural fairness – remit to a new Committee
Amos v Brisbane City Council – What’s the case about? The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the case of Amos v Brisbane City Council [2017] QPEC 33 which involved an appeal by Edward Amos against the decision of the Building and Development Committee to allow the Brisbane City Council to give him an […]
ReadmoreApproval of a subdivision of productive agricultural or rural land in Mothar Mountain
The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the case of Wason v Gympie Regional Council [2017] QPEC 34, which involved an appeal by Lee Wason against the Gympie Regional Council’s decision to refuse a development application for a development permit for reconfiguring a lot (1 into 2) on land located in Mothar Mountain. […]
ReadmoreCharacter housing is important to the community
Althaus & Anor v Brisbane City Council – What’s the case about? The Planning and Environment Court delivered a decision in the case of Althaus & Anor v Brisbane City Council [2017] QPEC 41 which involved an appeal by Nathan and Laura Althaus against the Brisbane City Council’s decision to refuse their development application seeking a […]
ReadmoreVictorian Government implements first stage of environmental protection overhaul
The Victorian Government recently introduced a bill to parliament as the first stage of the long anticipated overhaul to Victorian environmental protection legislation. 1. Background In 2016, an independent ministerial advisory committee conducted an inquiry into the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA). As previously reported by Partner, Meg Lee, and lawyer, Linda Choi, the […]
ReadmoreChanges to the Domestic Building Contracts Regulations
Effective from 1 August 2017 there will be a number of changes to regulations under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (Vic) (Act). Major Domestic Building Contracts Major domestic building contract is now defined as a domestic building contract where the contract sum is more than $10,000 (previously $5,000).1 If the contract sum for […]
ReadmoreCB Cold Storage
The Victorian Court of Appeal has now confirmed Croft J’s decision in CB Cold Storage Pty Ltd v IMCC Group Pty Ltd [2017] VSC 23 that a lease of a wholesale cold storage facility is a “retail premises lease” caught by the provisions of the Retail Leases Act (RLA), dismissing an appeal by the landlord […]
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