In the media – National
Green bonds: ANZ joins the global rush
ANZ HAS announced it would in the next two weeks issue its first
green bond, joining NAB, Westpac and Stockland with a product that
continues to storm global investment markets (22 May 2015).
More...
Big business looking to voluntary carbon market for
offsets
More than 90 per cent of the country's biggest polluters are
undertaking voluntary emissions reductions regardless of government
policy measures like the Emissions Reduction Fund, according to a
new survey from the Carbon Market Institute in conjunction with
RMIT (21 May 2015).
More...
Water market reforms continue to deliver benefits to
irrigators
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has publicly
released its fifth Water Monitoring Report. This report will help
inform its current review of the Commonwealth's water charge
rules. (21 May 2015).
More...
Record housing construction forecast to continue for
F2016
New analysis of key residential development market indicators
released this May points to continued record levels of housing
construction into the 2016 financial year (21 May 2015).
More...
ASIC updates guidance for carbon market
participants
ASIC today released updated regulatory guidance for carbon market
participants. Given the broad range of financial services that may
be provided in carbon markets, ASIC encourages carbon market
participants to obtain their own professional advice on how the
Corporations Act and other applicable laws apply to their
particular circumstances (20 May 2015).
More...
The RET is set by Government
The bipartisan deal has set the RET at 33,000 gigawatts, lower
than the 41,000 gigawatts Labor wanted, exempted trade-exposed
industries such as aluminium smelting from the target and called
for annual reports from the Clean Energy Regulator on the impact of
the scheme on electricity prices and progress towards the target
(19 May 2015).
More...
Public consultation on transition of Carbon Farming
Initiative methods into the Emissions Reduction Fund
The transitioning methods are being updated to ensure that they
are consistent with the Emissions Reduction Fund legislation, easy
to use and more streamlined (19 May 2015).
More...
Hunt signs Great Barrier Reef permanent and historic
dredge disposal ban
Regulations to implement the Coalition's historic ban on the
disposal of capital dredge material in the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park have been signed off by the Government. In finalising
the new regulations, the Government has taken into account more
than 7000 submissions received as part of a thorough consultation
process (17 May 2015).
More...
Inquiry On Home Ownership
The House of Representatives Economics Committee has announced a new inquiry into home ownership. The
Chair of the Committee, John Alexander, said that home ownership is
an issue that lies at the core of the Australian dream and
represents the largest investment that most taxpayers will make
during their lifetime. The Committee invites submissions to the
inquiry by Friday 26 June 2015, and the proposed reporting date is
03 December 2015(13 May 2015).
Climate Bonds and NABERS launch in
Australia
Climate Bonds and NABERS open doors for Australian property owners
into lucrative international bond finance. The Climate Bonds
Standard for Low Carbon Green Buildings has been launched and
Australian buildings are in an unmatched position to lead the world
in attracting low-carbon investment (13 May 2015).
More...
Budget ignores cities and climate change
With no plan for city infrastructure and no additional funding to
tackle climate change or sustainable building upgrades, the 2015
Budget is one of missed opportunities, says the Green Building
Council of Australia (GBCA) (13 May 2015).
More...
NHMRC receives 4 applications for wind farm research
grants
The National Health and Medical Research Council has received
applications from four institutions for its targeted call for
research funding into the health impacts of wind farms (11 May
2015).
More...
In the media – Victoria
Recognising Objectors Bill introduced to give
communities a fair go
The Government has tabled the Recognising Objectors Bill 2015 in
Parliament which seeks to add a new decision-making consideration
into the Planning and Environment Act 1987 requiring responsible
authorities and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
(VCAT) to have regard to, where appropriate, the number of
objectors to a permit application when considering whether the
proposal may have a significant social effect.
More
$570 Million In Apartments Approved For Fishermans
Bend
More than half a billion dollars worth of development has been
approved for Fishermans Bend, allowing more people to live closer
to Melbourne's CBD (22 May 2015).
More...
ACCC will not oppose Federation Centres' proposed
acquisition of Novion Property Group
The ACCC has announced that it will not oppose Federation
Centres' proposed acquisition of Novion Property Group after
accepting court-enforceable undertakings from the parties to divest
one of their shopping centres in South East Melbourne (21 May
2015).
More...
Public Review Of The EPA To Commence
The public review of Victoria's Environment Protection
Authority (EPA) is about to commence, with the appointment of an
advisory committee led by former Secretary of the Department of
Justice, Penny Armytage. The review will examine the powers and
resourcing of the state's environmental regulator (20 May
2015).
More...
Heritage Protection For Former Ballarat
Orphanage
The former Ballarat orphanage and school will receive heritage
protection, making way for new development while conserving a
historic site near the Ballarat CBD (20 May 2015).
More...
National Stronger Regions Fund: Round Two now
open
Local councils and incorporated not-for-profit organisations can
now apply for funding of between $20,000 and $10 million for
capital infrastructure projects under Round Two of the $1 billion
National Stronger Regions Fund (21 May 2015).
More...
New guidelines increase transparency around EPA's
decision making process
New guidelines explaining the Section 30A approvals process have
increased certainty and transparency around Environment Protection
Authority Victoria's (EPA) decision making process (20 May
2015).
More...
Fewer Trucks On Local Streets In The Inner
West
The Andrews Labor Government is taking the first steps to reduce
truck traffic on local streets in the inner west. Seven
construction companies have been shortlisted to build the West Gate
Distributor Stage 1. The Expressions of Interest process closed
late February with submissions received from a strong field (18 May
2015).
More...
Victoria Puts RET Back On The Agenda To Secure
Jobs
The Andrews Labor Government has today called on the Federal
Government to remove section 7c from the Renewable Energy
(Electricity) Act 2000 (Cth), which prevents State Governments
from having their own schemes similar to the Renewable Energy
Target (RET) (14 May 2015).
More...
Melbourne City Council executive calls for more
high-rise living in leafy suburbs
A Melbourne City Council executive has called for increased
density and development to be forced on leafy middle suburbs and
warned that expanding cities were "failing on the fringe"
(14 May 2015).
More...
Housing affordability tax update
On Monday 11 May the Property Council, the RDC and the UDIA met
with the Victorian Treasurer to discuss the recently announced
changes to Victorian stamp duty and land tax (The State Taxation
Acts Amendment Bill) (14 May 2015).
More...
PCA: Essential Services Measures Advisory
Opinion
On 1 May, VCAT handed down an Advisory Opinion in relation to
costs associated with the maintenance of essential service measures
(ESMs) (14 May 2015).
More...
Property owners face dramatic Fire Services Property
Levy rise
Property owners will be hit with a 7.2 per cent rise in their Fire
Services Property Levy this year. This has sparked calls from the
Victorian Farmers Federation for the Victorian Government to cap
FSPL rises at the Consumer Price Index in the same way it is
capping council rates (12 May 2015).
More...
In the media – New South Wales
Barangaroo Design Advisory panel
appointed
An independent design advisory panel has been established to
provide expert planning advice for the assessment of the Barangaroo
precinct. The appointment of the panel will assist the Department
of Planning and Environment to assess modifications to the
Barangaroo concept plan (20 May 2015).
More...
Heritage funding boost
Owners, councils and community groups involved with conserving
places of significant heritage in NSW will benefit from extra
funding provided to the National Trust (18 May 2015). More...
Minimum apartment sizes to be confirmed
Planning Minister Rob Stokes today confirmed that the NSW
Government will retain minimum apartment sizes to provide clarity
for the community, councils and industry. The minimum apartment
sizes for studios, one, two and three bedroom apartments will be:
Studios 35m2; 1 bedroom apartments 50m2; 2 bedroom apartments 70m2;
3 bedroom apartments 90m2(15 May 2015).
More...
James Packer's Crown could face legal challenge over
Barangaroo, Echo Entertainment says
Echo said a social impact assessment would help to gain an overall
environmental view of Crown's proposal and included a legal
assessment that said the modifications "would be open to
judicial review proceedings in Class 4 of the Land and Environment
Court's jurisdiction" (12 May 2015).
More...
In the media – Queensland
Logan City Council endorses new planning
scheme
The new planning scheme provides one clear vision for the Logan
City Council area, combining the three different planning schemes
that were operating as a result of local government amalgamations
in 2008. Councillor Cherie Dalley (Division 8) said "Not only
will this provide a new vision of the City of Logan and deliver
greater consistency in regulation, it will also simplify the rules
around planning and reduce red tape." (19 May 2015).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports – National
Australian Parliamentary Service Budget Guides (11 May 2015)
In Practice and Courts - National
Public consultation: transition of Carbon Farming
Initiative methods into the Emissions Reduction Fund: Department of
the Environment
Public consultation is now open on the transition of nine Carbon
Farming Initiative methods into the Emissions Reduction Fund, as
foreshadowed in the Emissions Reduction Fund White Paper. Seventeen
legacy Carbon Farming Initiative methods have now been superseded
by new methods covering the same activities (19 May 2015).
More...
CRC Review: focus on growth through innovation and
collaboration
A new CRC Advisory Committee will be appointed to implement the
recommendations of the review and to oversee the revised CRC
Programme (19 May 2015). More...
More...
Revised ASIC guide for carbon market
participants
ASIC has updated regulatory guidance for carbon market
participants to reflect changes to the structure of Australia's
carbon market.
Do I need an AFS licence to participate in carbon markets?
(Regulatory guide 236) provides advice on how current financial
services laws apply to carbon market activities under the Emissions
Reduction Fund and safeguard mechanism (21 May 2015).
Budget 2015-16 - 12 May 2015
The Treasurer, The Hon Joe Hockey MP, has released the Australian
Government's 2015–16 Budget.
More...
ACCC: input into review of water charge rules in the
Murray-Darling Basin
The ACCC has released its issues paper seeking submissions on
possible amendments to the Commonwealth water charge rules.
Submissions should be provided to the ACCC by Friday 26 June 2015
(04 May 2015).
More...
House of Representatives Standing Committee on the
Environment: Inquiry into the Register of Environmental
Organisations
The terms of reference inquire into and report on the
administration and transparency of the Register of Environmental
Organisations and its effectiveness in supporting communities to
take practical action to improve the environment. Submissions
addressing one or more of the terms of reference close 21 May 2015.
More...
In Practice and Courts – Victoria
Announcements, Draft Policies and Plans released 2015
AER commences review of network charges in Victoria for
the next five years
The AER has received regulatory proposals from the five
electricity distribution service providers in Victoria. These set
out the revenues the businesses propose to collect from electricity
consumers through distribution charges for the next five year
period—that is, 2016 to 2020 (20 May 2015). More...
SRO Victoria: Metropolitan Planning Levy (MPL)commences
1 July 2015
From 1 July 2015, all planning permit applications for projects in
metropolitan Melbourne with an estimated development (construction)
cost of more than $1 million will be levied $1.30 for each $1000 of
the estimated development cost (21 May 2015).
More...
Planning Permit Activity Report 2015
The Planning Permit Activity Report for
April 2015 is now available (21 May 2015).
Property Alert
The new Planning and Environment Regulations 2015 were
made by the Governor in Council on 12 May 2015 and will come into
operation on 16 May 2015.
More...
EPA public inquiry set to commence 1 June
2015
A major public inquiry into Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
will commence on 1 June 2015 (20 May 2015).
More...
Better Apartments
The government has released 'Better Apartments - A Discussion
Paper' as part of a broad consultation to better understand
community and stakeholder views on the internal design amenity of
apartments (14 May 2015).
More...
Expressions of Interest for Fishermans Bend Advisory
Committee
The Minister for Planning is currently seeking expressions of
interest for a Chairperson and seven committee members to form an
advisory committee to provide advice on the preparation of
detailed plans for Fishermans Bend. Applications close on 28 May
2015 (14 May 2015).
Seminar: The Housing Equation: From pilot to policy
implementation; affordability, availability and an apartment
code
VPELA is holding a seminar on
The Housing Equation: From pilot to policy implementation;
affordability, availability and an apartment code on Wednesday
3 June 2015.
Seminar: Constraints and Opportunities for
Melbourne's Urban Renewal
VPELA is holding a seminar on
Constraints and Opportunities for Melbourne's Urban Renewal
on Thursday 28 May 2015.
Legislation – National
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Special
Management Areas) Regulation 2015 SLI 2015 No. 68
20/05/2015 - This regulation amends the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Regulations 1983 to add a new type of Special Management Area,
the Maritime Cultural Heritage Protection Special Management Area
(the MCHP SMA) and declare two areas in the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park to be MCHP SMAs. More...
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Instrument
No. 4 (MRL Standard) Amendment Instrument 2015 (No.
4)
19/05/2015 - This instrument amends the Agricultural and
Veterinary Chemicals Code Instrument No. 4 (MRL Standard) 2012 to
set new and varied MRLs and make other changes to the Tables with
respect to certain residue definitions, commodities and substances.
More...
Personal Property Securities (Fees) Determination
2015
13/05/15 - This instrument determines the fees payable and also
specifies the kinds of arrangements for the payment of fees that
may be approved by the Registrar of Personal Property Securities
(the Registrar) under subsection 190(4) of the Personal
Property Securities Act 2009. It does not list those matters
that do not incur a fee. More...
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming
Initiative—Reforestation and Afforestation 2.0) Methodology
Determination 2015
13/05/2015 - This determination streamlines the earlier method
released for use under the Carbon Farming Initiative in mid 2012.
It sets out the detailed rules that landholders can use to cut
their emissions by planting trees. More...
Legislation – Victoria
Acts assented
No. 16: National Parks Amendment (Prohibiting Cattle
Grazing) Act 2015
Assent: 12/05/2015 SG (No. 107) 12/5/2015 p. 1 Commencement:
13/05/2015: s. 2
No. 16: National Parks Amendment (Prohibiting Cattle
Grazing) Act 2015
Assent: 12/05/2015 SG (No. 107) 12/5/2015 p. 1 Commencement:
13/05/2015: s. 2
No. 28: Architects Regulations 2015
Commencement: 19/05/2015: reg. 3 Not yet in operation:
Regs 1-45: on 19/05/2015: reg. 3 Sunset Date: 28/04/2025. More...
Cases - Victoria
Equity-One Mortgage Fund Ltd v Pepe & Anor
[2015] VSC 161
CONTEMPT – Disobedience of injunction – Date of
service of order – Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure)
Rules 2005 rr 75.05, 75.11(1). PRACTICE – Real property
– Warrant of possession – Execution of previous
warrants of possession – Defendant re-entering property
– Further warrant issued – Supreme Court (General Civil
Procedure) Rules 2005 rr 1.15, 69.03. More...
Titles Strata Management Pty Ltd v Nirta &
Ors [2015] VSC 187
EVIDENCE – Standard of proof – Civil proceedings
– Whether signatures were forged – Strength of evidence
required to meet standard – Briginshaw v Briginshaw
[1938] HCA 34; (1938) 60 CLR 336 applied. EVIDENCE –
Credibility and weight – Party's failure to adduce
evidence on fact in issue – Adverse inference –
Application of Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR
298. PRINCIPAL AND AGENT – Whether finance broker agent of
lender – Whether broker acting for borrower or lender –
Sub-agent. REAL PROPERTY – Torrens system –
Registration – Indefeasibility of title – Exception in
case of fraud – Forged signature – Transfer of Land Act
1958 s 42 – Followed Perpetual Trustees Victoria Ltd v
Xiao and anor [2015] VSC 21 – Fraud not imputed to
lender – Russo v Bendigo Bank Ltd [1999] VSCA 108;
[1999] 3 VR 376, Macquarie Bank Ltd v Sixty Fourth Throne Pty
Ltd [1998] 3 VR 133, Pyramid Building Society (in liq) v
Scorpion Holdings Pty Ltd [1998] 1 VR 188, Beatty v
Australian and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd [1995] VicRp 57;
[1995] 2 VR 301 and Australian Guarantee Corporation Ltd v De
Jager [1984] VicRp 40; [1984] VR 483 considered. REAL PROPERTY
– Torrens system land – Whether registered mortgage
secures amount owing under forged loan agreement –
Perpetual Trustees Victoria Ltd v Xiao and anor [2015] VSC
21 followed and applied – Solak v Bank of Western
Australia Ltd [2009] VSC 82 not followed. SUBROGATION –
Whether third party payer of an extinguished debt entitled to the
benefit of all contractual rights of previous lender –
Equitable remedy – Held: not entitled to interest at rate of
previous lender. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Interest –
Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983 (Vic) s 2 –
Supreme Court Act 1986 (Vic) s 58 – Whether
'good cause to the contrary' for not awarding interest on
the statutory basis – Whether rate of interest should be
calculated on a simple or compounding basis – Talacko v
Talacko [2009] VSC 579 applied. CONTRACT – Default
Interest Clause – Penalty – Robophone Facilities
Ltd v Blank [1996] 1 WLR 1428 applied. REAL PROPERTY –
Claim under s 110 of Transfer of Land Act 1958 (Vic)
– Joint tenants – Registration of mortgage –
Signature of one mortgagor forged – Whether loss crystallises
before severance of joint tenancy. More...
Southage Pty Ltd v Vescovi [2015] VSCA
117
RESTITUTION — Money paid under mistake of fact —
Whether order for restitution would be unjust — Change of
position on faith of receipt — Whether recipient acted in
good faith on assumption entitled to deal with payment —
Where third party forged respondent's signature on loan and
mortgage documentation —Where appellant money lender advanced
funds to third party in mistaken belief respondent had given
security —Third party used lent funds to pay deposit under
contract of sale for other land without respondent's knowledge
— Respondent nominated as purchaser and used land as security
for mortgage — Where respondent would not have entered
mortgage without belief third party paid deposit with own funds
— Mortgage entered on faith of receipt — Whether
recipient would be in worse position if ordered to make restitution
than if funds never received — Where land subsequently sold
and respondent retained no proceeds of sale — Unjust to order
restitution — David Securities Pty Ltd v Commonwealth
Bank of Australia [1992] HCA 48; (1992) 175 CLR 353 —
Australian Financial Services and Leasing Pty Limited v Hills
Industries Limited [2014] HCA 14; (2014) 307 ALR 512. More...
Owners Corporation 2 v MAV Group Pty Ltd (Building
and Property) [2015] VCAT 661
Abandonment of application for joinder – application for
costs by proposed party. The first respondent must pay the costs of
ECM Group Pty Ltd ('ECM') of and incidental to the first
respondent's application to join ECM as a party to the
proceeding - first respondent builder entered into a contract with
Rose Anna Pty Ltd for the construction of a three storey
residential building on top of existing commercial premises -
applicant owners' corporation commenced these proceedings
seeking orders for the payment of damages for, or the rectification
of, allegedly defective building work by the builder. More...
Ternovsky v Kirishian (Civil Claims) [2015]
VCAT 657
Construction of new home; no written contract; applicant proceeds
as owner-builder; licensed builder acts as project manager and is
paid a management fee; applicant advances funds to project manager
through manager's company for payment of contractors and
suppliers; project manager dies before completion of construction;
amount of advanced funds unaccounted for; recovery sought from
estate of deceased manager and from company; relevant
considerations about personal rather than company liability;
sections 2,18,184 and 236 of Australian Consumer Law; restitution.
More...
466-482 Smith Street Collingwood Pty Ltd v Yarra
CC [2015] VCAT 643
To construct a mixed use multistorey building plus roof terrace
over two basement levels (to accommodate storage and car parking)
to accommodate dwellings, food and drink premises (cafe) and shops,
use for dwellings, a reduction in car parking requirement and
waiver of loading bay requirement. Commercial 1 Zone and subject to
a Design and Development Overlay (Schedule 2) and a Special
Building Overlay. More...
Van Der Linden v Bayside CC [2015] VCAT
627
Addition to Individually Significant Heritage House; Basement
Ramp; Visibility of Addition. More...
Michaelides v Commissioner of State Revenue (Review
and Regulation) [2015] VCAT 624
Review and Regulation List – Taxation – Duty on
transfer of land – transfer of land from trustee to
individuals – whether individuals holding land on trust
– whether a change of trustee – Duties Act
2000 s.33. More...
Baldasso Cortese Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC [2015]
VCAT 622
The construction and display of five banner signs, supported from
the framing of existing first floor windows and centrally located
within the Flinders Lane frontage. Application under section 80 of
the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to review conditions
in a permit. Capital City Zone (CCZ2), Heritage Overlay (HO506). More...
Whisper Properties (Australia) Pty Ltd v Monash
CC [2015] VCAT 619
Tree Protection Zone. In light of this report, we accept that
there would be sufficient compliance with the policies in the
planning scheme, including clause 22.05 if the existing trees were
removed from the site as is now proposed. Construction of two
dwellings on a lot in accordance with the endorsed plans. More...
McMillan v Comissioner of State Revenue (Review and
Regulation) [2015] VCAT 662
Review and Regulation List – First Home Owners Grant –
failing to fulfil period of required occupancy – penalty
– First home Owners Grant Act 2000 s 12. More...
Dravid Pty Ltd v Kremin Pty Ltd (Building and
Property) [2015] VCAT 623
CO-OWNERSHIP–real property–section 233(3)(b)
Property Law Act 1958–locks changed by co-owner,
with subsequent failure to respond to requests by other co-owner to
deliver set of keys–whether failure to provide a set of keys,
together with other factors, meant that the latter had been
"excluded from occupation of land". Section 233(2)(e)
Property Law Act 1958–assessment of "an amount
equivalent to rent" payable to co-owner excluded from
occupation of the land. More...
Tadcaster Sorrento v Commissioner of State Revenue
(Review and Regulation) [2015] VCAT 611
The application is dismissed and the land tax assessment of the
applicant is confirmed. More...
Rosenwald v Hogg [2015] VSC 199
REAL PROPERTY – Restrictive Covenant – Construction
– Whether covenant should be discharged – Whether
covenant should be modified - Proceeding dismissed –
Property Law Act 1958 (Vic) s 84(1). More...
Vic Hotel Pty Ltd & Ors v DC Payments
Australasia Pty Ltd [2015] VSCA 101
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Application for leave to appeal
– Proposed ground that judge erred in refusing to find waiver
of legal professional privilege by allegations in a pleading
– Trial of Preliminary Question pursuant to O 47 of the
Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules 2005 – Real
prospects of success established – s 14C Supreme Court
Act 1986.
EVIDENCE – Legal professional privilege – Waiver of
privilege – Whether privilege waived by a pleading –
Communications in respect of legal advice – Privilege holder
alleging tort of inducing breach of contract – State of mind
of person to whom communications made put in issue – Test for
waiver by a pleading considered – Waiver established –
s 122 Evidence Act 2010 – Mann v Carnell [1999] HCA
66; (1999) 201 CLR 1; Expense Reduction Analysts Group Pty Ltd
v Armstrong Strategic Management and Marketing Pty Ltd [2013]
HCA 46; (2013) 250 CLR 303 followed. More...
Sugar Australia Pty Ltd v Lend Lease Services Pty
Ltd [2015] VSCA 98
BUILDING CONTRACTS – Bank performance security –
Security for claims by proprietor acting reasonably –
Application by contractor for interlocutory injunction to restrain
recourse to security – Construction of security clause
– Whether serious issue whether proprietor acting reasonably
in seeking recourse to security – Whether serious issue to be
tried as to validity of recourse notice – Balance of
convenience. More...
Peninsula Blue Developments Pty Ltd v Frankston CC
(Red Dot) [2015] VCAT 571
NATURE OF CASE- Clause 52.29 Land Adjacent to a Road Zone Category
1 or a Public Acquisition Overlay for a Category 1 Road. REASONS
WHY DECISION IS OF INTEREST OR SIGNIFICANCE - PLANNING SCHEME
– interpretation or consideration of VPP provision.
Interpretation and application of clause 52.29 – meaning of
"create or alter access to a road in a Road Zone Category
1" – scope of clause 52.29. More...
Cases - Queensland
MJ Arthurs Pty Ltd & Anor v Portfolio Housing
Pty Ltd & Anor [2015] QCA 086
APPEAL AND NEW TRIAL – APPEAL – GENERAL PRINCIPLES
– INTERFERENCE WITH JUDGE'S FINDINGS OF FACT –
OTHER MATTERS – where from 2005 the second appellant and
second respondent had undertaken building projects together –
where the second respondent would identify building project
opportunities and the second appellant would undertake the building
work – where after the building construction was completed,
the second appellant and second respondent would share net profits
equally – where routinely, a corporate vehicle and a business
trust structure were used to carry out each project – breach
of construction contracts. More...
Davan Developments Pty Ltd v HLB Mann Judd (SE Qld)
Pty Ltd [2015] QDC 121
Professional negligence – accounting advice and treatment of
assets – whether "private" intentions for
"limited development" of land – whether, if breach,
there was causation. More...
Peulen & Anor v Agius & Anor [2015] QSC
137
CIVIL LAW – REAL PROPERTY – STATUTORY RIGHT OF USER
– EASEMENT FOR RIGHT OF WAY – CREATION – where
the applicants and respondents own adjoining land – where the
applicants seek a statutory right of user over a portion of the
respondents' land currently occupied by a driveway –
where the driveway was utilised by previous owners of the tenement
as the dominant form of vehicular access – where the
alternative access for the property requires the establishment of a
new driveway and the use of an unsealed road – where the
utilisation of alternative access is uneconomic and inefficient
– where there is minimal interference with the privacy,
amenity, use and quiet enjoyment of the respondents' property
is caused by the imposition of the statutory right of user –
where there is a possibility that the local government authorities
may not approve the registration of the proposed easement –
whether the imposition of the statutory right of user is reasonably
necessary in the interests of effective use of the land. CIVIL LAW
– REAL PROPERTY – STATUTORY RIGHT OF USER –
EASEMENT FOR RIGHT OF WAY – QUANTIFICATION OF COMPENSATION
– where the applicants and respondents own adjoining land
– where the applicants seek a statutory right of user over a
portion of the respondents' land currently occupied by a
driveway – where the driveway was utilised by previous owners
of the tenement as the dominant form of vehicular access –
where the imposition of the statutory right of user causes minimal
diminution in the value of the servient tenement – where the
imposition of the statutory right of user causes marginal
interference with the privacy, amenity, use and quiet enjoyment of
the servient tenement – where the imposition of the statutory
right of user significantly augments the value of the dominant
tenement – whether the compensation or consideration payable
should be measured by reference to the augmented value of the
dominant tenement or the loss caused to the owner of the servient
tenement. More...
Hammercall Pty Ltd v Minister for Transport &
Main Roads & Ors [2015] QSC 114
REAL PROPERTY – COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF LAND –
POWERS OF ACQUISITION – GENERALLY – where the applicant
submitted that their objections were not heard by an authorised
delegate – where there were two notices of intention to
resume issued – where there were two objection hearings in
relation to the notices – where there was a factual question
as to the position held by the individual who heard the objections
– where s 7(3)(e)(iii) of the Acquisition of Land Act
1967 provided that objections may be heard by the constructing
authority or its delegate – whether the individual who heard
the objections was an authorised delegate under the Transport
Planning and Co-ordination Act 1994 and the Acquisition of
Land Act 1967. STATUTES – ACTS OF PARLIAMENT –
INTERPRETATION – GENERAL APPROACHES TO INTERPRETATION –
REFERENCE TO CONTEXT – where the applicant submitted that
there were departures from the requirements of the Acquisition
of Land Act 1967 – whether there was a legislative
purpose to invalidate an act which failed to comply with the
requirements of the Acquisition of Land Act 1967. REAL
PROPERTY – COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF LAND – POWERS OF
ACQUISITION – GENERALLY – where the applicant submitted
that the Minister was not provided with the required information
under s 9(3) of the Acquisition of Land Act 1967 –
whether the application to the Minister met the requirements of s
9(3) of the Acquisition of Land Act 1967. STATUTES –
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT – INTERPRETATION – GENERAL
APPROACHES TO INTERPRETATION – WHOLE ACT TO BE CONSIDERED
– whether the constructing authority under s 5(1)(a), (b) or
(c) of the Acquisition of Land Act 1967. REAL PROPERTY
– COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF LAND – POWERS OF
ACQUISITION – PURPOSE OF ACQUISITION – where the
applicant relied upon the fact that the land to be resumed would be
used for both State and local government controlled roads –
where the applicant relied upon the fact that part of the land to
be resumed may have been used for the construction of a road that
would provide access to a proposed quarry – where the
applicant submitted that the land was being resumed for the purpose
of an electricity provider laying cables on the land – where
the applicant submitted that the resumption was for a
'future' purpose – taking of the land for the
'purposes of transport' – whether the notice of
resumption was issued for a proper purpose under the
Acquisition of Land Act 1967. REAL PROPERTY –
COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF LAND – POWERS OF ACQUISITION
– RIGHT TO BE HEARD – where the applicant relies upon
the fact it did not have opportunity to reply to the written
application to the Minister to take the land – whether the
applicant was denied natural justice. More...
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.
