Canungra Commercial Pty Ltd v Scenic Rim Regional Council and ors; Nguyen & Ors v Scenic Rim Regional Council & Ors [2013] QPEC 1 (2013) QPELR 317
PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COURT
OF QUEENSLAND
CITATION: Canungra Commercial Pty Ltd v Scenic Rim Regional
Council and ors [2013] QPEC 1
PARTIES: In Appeal 2465/10:
CANUNGRA COMMERCIAL PTY LTD
(ACN 110 530 884)
(Appellant)
v
SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL
(Respondent)
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
(First Co-Respondent)
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS
(Second Co-Respondent)
CENTRAL SEQ DISTRIBUTOR-RETAILER
AUTHORITY (TRADING AS QUEENSLAND URBAN
UTILITIES)
(Co-Respondent by Election)
TONY NGUYEN, ANNE NGUYEN AND CANUNGRA
FOODWORKS PTY LTD
(Submitter Co-Respondents by Election)
In Appeal 813/11:
TUAN NGUYEN (ALSO KNOWN AS TONY NGUYEN)
and
ANNE NGUYEN
and
SIEN VAN NGUYEN
and
THAO PHUONG THI PHAM
(Appellants)
v
SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL (Respondent)
CANUNGRA COMMERCIAL PTY LTD AND OTHERS
(Co-respondent)
CENTRAL SEQ DISTRIBUTOR-RETAILER
AUTHORITY (TRADING AS QUEENSLAND URBAN
UTILITIES)
(Co-Respondent by Election)
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS
(Co-Respondent by Election)
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FILE NO: 2465/10 and 813/11
DIVISION: Planning & Environment
PROCEEDING: Application
ORIGINATING
COURT: Brisbane
DELIVERED ON: 14 February 2013
DELIVERED AT: Brisbane
HEARING DATE: 23 & 24 August, 2 November 2012, 7,8 and 13 February
2013
JUDGE: Andrews SC, DCJ
ORDER: 1. DECLARE THAT THE CHANGE TO THE
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION THE SUBJECT OF THE
APPEAL, AS SHOWN ON THE THOMSON ADSETT
CONNECTIVITY PLAN OPTION 2, PROJECT NUMBER
8721A.03, SHEET NUMBER CO2, REVISION P3 DATED
29 NOVEMBER 2011 (“THE AMENDED PLAN”) IS ONLY
A MINOR CHANGE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THAT
TERM AS USED IN S350 OF THE SUSTAINABLE
PLANNING ACT 2009;
2. Order that the Appeal be heard and determined on the
basis of the amended plan.
3. Liberty to apply
3. Costs reserved
CATCHWORDS: PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT – whether minor
change proposed – where proposed change involved a parcel
of land not in the original development application – where
proposal to lay underground stormwater pipes beneath and a
footpath on the new parcel of land – whether new impacts or
increased severity of impacts – whether adverse traffic
impacts – whether adverse vegetation impacts – whether
adverse stormwater impacts – whether substantially different
development
Sustainable Planning Act s 350 (1) (d)(i)
Heritage Properties Pty Ltd (2010) QPELR 510
Auspacific Engineers Pty Ltd v Scenic Rim Regional
Council & Ors [2010] QPEC 117
COUNSEL: Ure of counsel for the Appellant in 2465/10
Skoien of counsel with Batty of counsel for the submitter Co-
Respondents in 2465/10, and the Appellants in Appeal No.
813/11
Loos of counsel for the First Respondent in 2465/10, and
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Respondent in 813/11
SOLICITORS: K & L Gates for the Appellant in 2465/10 and Co-
Respondent in 813/11
T Lawyers for the submitter Co-Respondents in 2465/10, and
the Appellants in Appeal No. 813/11
Corrs Chambers Westgarth for the First Respondent in
2465/10, and Respondent in 813/11
P. Vann Eps of Queensland Urban Utilities for the Co-
respondent by Election in 2465/10 and 813/11.
Norton Rose Australia for the Second Co-Respondent in
2465/10 and the Co-Respondent by Election in 813/11.
[1] The primary issue before me is whether a change proposed to a development
application is a “minor change” within the meaning of that term in s.350 of the
Sustainable Planning Act (“SPA”). That depends upon whether the change would
result in “a substantially different development.” That is to be considered after
determining whether the change “introduces new impacts or increases the severity
of known impacts” and the fact that it applies to a new parcel of land.
[2] Canungra Commercial Pty Ltd (“the appellant”) seeks a declaration to the effect that
a change proposed to its development application, the subject of its appeal, is only a
minor change. The Scenic Rim Regional Council (“council”) supports the
application for the declaration.
[3] On 27 August 2009, the appellant’s consultants lodged a development application
for a material change of use for a shopping centre (business use) (“the application”)
on land described at Lot 2 on RP200758 and situated at 10-16 Finch Road,
Canungra (“the subject land”). On 27 July 2010, the council approved the
application subject to conditions. By appeal 2465 of 2010 the appellant appealed
against certain of the conditions imposed by council.
[4] After discussions between the appellant and council, the appellant wishes to amend
the original proposal by including a 3 metre wide footpath providing additional
pedestrian access from the proposed development to Christie Street. This footpath
would be on property described as Lot 8 on RP231328 (“lot 8”). Lot 8 was not part
of the land the subject of the application.
[5] The expression “minor change” is defined in s.350 of the SPA relevantly as
follows:-
“350 Meaning of minor change
(1) A minor change in relation to an application, is any of the following
changes to the application—
(a) …
(b) …
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(c) …
(d) a change that—
(i) does not result in a substantially different development; and
(ii) does not require the application to be referred to any
additional referral agencies; and
(iii) does not change the type of development approval sought;
and
(iv) does not require impact assessment for any part of the
changed application, if the original application did not
involve impact assessment.”
[6] The proposed change does not engage any of the criteria set out in the SPA
s350(1)(d)(ii) – (iv). It is in issue whether it engages SPA s350(1)(d)(i).
[7] The expression “a substantially different development” is not defined in the SPA.
[8] The explanatory guide to the Sustainable Planning Bill 2009 provides with respect
to the term “substantially different development”:-
“In general terms, it is considered that this term should be given its ordinary common
sense meaning and will need to be considered on the facts of each case. It is difficult
to establish black and white criteria, otherwise the test for whether an application can
be changed, becomes arbitrary and inflexible. However, changes which may result in
a development being substantially different include:
• changes which involve a new use (for example, an application for a material
change of use for a cinema which is changed to include a residential
component);
• changes which involve a significant increase in gross floor area;
• changes which involve a significant increase in the number of lots or storeys
above ground level proposed.”
[9] “Substantial” is defined relevantly in the Macquarie Dictionary as:-
“… 7. relating to the substance, matter, or material of the thing. 8. Of or relating to
the essence of the thing; essential, material, or important …”
[10] Section 759 of the SPA empowers the Minister to make guidelines about certain
matters including:-
“(c) the matters to be considered in deciding whether or not a change to a
development application or a development approval would result in a
substantially different development.”
[11] Pursuant to the section, the Minister has made Statutory Guideline 06/09.
[12] The Planning and Environment Court has determined that it is appropriate to have
regard to Guideline 06/09 when determining whether a proposed change results in a
substantially different development.
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[13] Rackemann DCJ in Heritage Properties Pty Ltd (2010) QPELR 510 at 511 (a minor
change case) said:-
“In determining whether a development constitutes a substantially
different form of development, it is appropriate to have regard to the
guidelines made by the Chief Executive under section 760 (sic) of
the SPA (Statutory Guideline 06/09), which provides relevantly as
follows:
‘Although it will depend on the individual circumstances of the development, the
following list identifies changes that may result in a substantially different
development and would, therefore, not be a minor change or permissible change
under the SPA. This list is intended as a guide to assist assessment managers and
applicants to determine whether a change will result in a substantially different
development and is not intended to be exhaustive.
A change may result in a substantially different development if the proposed
change:
• involves a new use with different or additional impacts;
• results in the application applying to a new parcel of land;
• dramatically changes the built form in terms of scale, bulk and appearance;
• changes the ability of the proposal to operate as intended. For example, reducing
the size of a retail complex may reduce the capacity of the complex to service the
intended catchment;
• removes a component that is integral to the operation of the development;
• significantly impacts on traffic flow and the transport network, such as increasing
traffic to the site;
• introduces new impacts or increases the severity of known impacts;
• removes an incentive or offset component that would have balanced the negative
impact of the development;
• impacts on infrastructure provision, location or demand.’
It may be noted that the list provided in the guideline is a list of those
changes which "may" result in a substantially different development.
It is not the case that a change of the kind there listed is necessarily
to be judged to be substantially different.
It may also be noted that the list is not intended to be exhaustive.
There may be other changes not listed in the guideline which, in a
particular case, can be judged to be more than minor, in that it
involves a substantially different development. It may also be noted
that the focus of the list in the guideline is, in some respects, on
changes that would involve new, additional or increased impacts,
rather than on changes which tend to ameliorate impacts.”
[14] His Honour went on to say in Heritage:-
“It has often been said that the question of whether a development
constitutes a minor change ought to be considered broadly and fairly.
In my view, that same approach is still appropriate under the
definition in the SPA.”
[15] As described in paragraph 6 of the Affidavit of Ms Vigar:-
“6. The Amended Plans differ from the Original Plans in the following
respects (the Changes):
(a) The Amended Plans include a 3 metre wide footpath, providing access
to Christie Street. This footpath is on property described as Lot 8 on Registered
Plan 231328.
(b) The Amended Plan has removed seven car parking spaces including four
adjacent to the new pedestrian crossing for the aforementioned footpath to Christie
Street, one adjacent to the loading bay egress, and two either side of the Bio-
retention area.”
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[16] Currently Lot 8 carries overland flow from the upstream catchment on the southern
side of Christie Street which flow passes through culverts under Christie Street.
Three x 1350mm underground pipes are proposed to be constructed to carry water
from the Christie Street culverts through lot 8 to the pipes proposed under the
shopping centre on the subject land and then to discharge to the north into Canungra
Creek. The three proposed pipes under lot 8 will be accompanied by infilling of an
open grassed drainage channel on lot 8 and the construction of the footpath with
landscaping.
[17] Some positive impacts would be result from the proposed change:-
1. The amended plan improves the connectivity between the proposed
shopping centre and Christie Street and therefore improves access by the
public.
2. The amended proposal could encourage people visiting the proposed
shopping centre to also visit the businesses on Christie Street which would
improve the integration of the proposed centre with this main street.
[18] The appellant accepts that it bears the onus of establishing that the proposed change
is only a “minor change”.1The submitter co-respondents by election (“the
submitters”) submitted that “the onus of proof lies on Canungra Commercial to fully
particularise and identify the impacts that would result from...the proposed changes
to the development application”. I doubt that the appellant has the onus to
particularise the impacts in a contested hearing. It is not necessary to be diverted by
that submission as the proceedings have been contested and fought on particular
issues identified by the submitters in their submissions delivered before the hearing
and supplemented after evidence was complete.
[19] The submitters raise the following issues:
(a) the inclusion of a new parcel of land, Lot 8, in the changed development application,
especially where:
(i) the part of Lot 8 to be used by the proposed development is subject to a drainage
easement (“Easement A”) and operates as a main drainage line in this locality; and
(ii) use of Lot 8 for the proposed development would preclude the use of Lot 8 in
accordance with an existing development approval for that lot;
(b) the proposal to create a new pedestrian accessway, direct from Christie Street to the
proposed development, especially where there are potential pedestrian safety issues raised
by:
(i) the proposal to have pedestrians walking a long path (some 50m or so) effectively
out of sight (i.e. beyond the casual surveilence) of the public (in Christie Street, in
Finch Road or in the proposed development; and
(ii) the prospect that stormwater may cross Christie Stree and proceed downhill over
the pedestrian accesway;
(c) the proposal to join stormwater pipes that currently discharge in an unconstrained fashion
from culverts under Christie Street into the open channel in Easement A, where that
1 See s 493(1) of the SPA.
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proposal will (as a result of tailwater considerations and/or friction impacts) alter the
hydraulic regime upstream of Christie Street (i.e. less stormwater will be able to pass under
Christie Street and more stormwater will either not be able to enter the piped stormwater
network, or will surcharge from the piped stormwater network, and will flow as overland
water in public or private property).
[20] The “issues” section of the submitters’ written outline contains nothing about
traffic grounds. However, within the submissions, their counsel noted that the
change will provide a new access point to a different road and that there would be
changes to and a reduction in the number of car parks for the proposed
development.
[21] From a traffic and engineering perspective, Mr Healy deposed, and I accept, the
proposed change, including the consequential loss of some seven car parking spaces
does not:-
(a) Introduce new uses with different or additional impacts.
(b) Affect the ability of the development to operate as originally
intended.
(c) Make a significant change to the impact on traffic flow and
the transport networks as the traffic generation is the same.
(d) Create new impacts or increases in the severity of known
impacts.
(e) Impact on infrastructure provision, location or demand.
or result in any new or enhanced impacts.2
[22] The “new access point to a different road” to which the submitters’ counsel draw
attention is pedestrian access. I do not accept that the new access point and loss of
car parks create an adverse impact of any significance.
[23] The “issues” section of the submitters’ written outline contains nothing about loss of
sensitive vegetation. However, cross-examination on the issue was lengthy and
within the submissions, the submitters’ counsel noted that the proposed
development would involve filling and/or works in a sensitive area with regard to
vegetation.
[24] Mr Adams, the submitters’ town planner, told the Court that in reality there was not
a great deal of vegetation actually in the drainage easement. (See Exhibits 7A and
7B)3
[25] I accept the evidence of Ms Vigar that the existing vegetation is not significant.4
[26] This is reinforced by Exhibit 5, the current approval existing over Lot 8. It
contemplates that the area of the easement will become car park, driveway, loading
area and building area. With the exception of a garden bed on the Christie Street
frontage, there is no prospect, pursuant to that approval, of vegetation being retained
on the easement.
2 Affidavit of Mr Healey (Document 26), paras.10 and 11.
3 Transcript, page 1-96, lines 20-40.
4 Transcript, page 1-23, lines 30-40. Transcript, page 1-24, 1-25.
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[27] Mr Covino gave evidence that Lots 6, 7 and 8 are all now owned by Covino family
members or entities controlled by Covino family members. They have never had
any intention of retraining the vegetation.5
[28] I find that the proposed change will not create an adverse impact of any significance
with respect to vegetation.
[29] Pedestrian security on the proposed footpath is an issue. The path would be about
50 meters long. The submitters’ counsel submitted the proposal to have pedestrians
walking a long path (some 50m or so) would put the pedestrians effectively out of
sight (i.e. beyond the casual surveillance) of the public (in Christie Street, in Finch
Road or in the proposed development).
[30] Ms Vigar6, an experienced town planner, gave evidence that she has no concern
with respect to issues of security. She said that the matter of security within
pathways and areas such as are proposed are matters that can be dealt with by
appropriate design and by conditions that manage the operation of the use.7
[31] Ms Vigar said :-
―Over time that area will be developed, will be part of the Canungra Town Centre. It
won’t be a low activity area for very long I suspect and so there will be areas of
activity right along that path in the – in the fullness of time. But the second point that I
would make is that – that it is quite an appropriate – that the benefits of having a
connection between the two, in my view as a planner, far outweigh any perceived
concerns which I don’t believe to be real and which can be managed.‖8
[32] Ms Vigar went on to say:-
―I don’t believe there is an actual issue. As to a perception, it’s possible there could
be perceptions.‖
[33] Mr Adams agreed with Ms Vigar’s view that increased pedestrian connectivity was
a valid town planning consideration.9 He went on to say that if there were in reality
any potential safety issues, the development could be conditioned to manage those
issues.10
[34] Mr Adams agreed that it would be a good town planning outcome to have an active
street frontage along the pathway where buildings addressed the street and people
could pass along the pedestrian pathway between Christie Street and the
supermarket.11
[35] There is insufficient security impact from pedestrian use of the proposed footpath to
resulting in a substantially different development.
[36] Pedestrian safety from stormwater on the proposed footpath is an issue. Mr
Suffolk is of the view that the proposal amounts to a significant improvement in that
5 Transcript, page 1-41.
6 Transcript page 1-30, 1-31 and 1-32.
7 Transcript page 1-30, lines 35-40.
8 Transcript page 1-32, lines 10-25.
9 Transcript page 1-95.
10 Transcript page 1-95, line 40 and 1-96 line 20.
11 Transcript page 1-95, lines 15 to 40.
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all of the water which currently flows through the culverts under Christie Street and
overland up Lot 8 will now be captured by the 3 x 1350 mm underground pipes
running through Lot 8 to meet up with the 3 x 1350 mm pipes proposed under the
shopping centre car park and discharging to the north and flowing into Canungra
Creek.
[37] Factual issues arose between the hydrology experts, Mr Suffolk and Mr Boyd. Mr
Suffolk was very uncomfortable giving evidence. I am not persuaded that his
discomfort was a sign that his professional opinions were unreliable.
[38] Mr Suffolk’s firm, Opus International, uses the sophisticated two dimensional
computer model, Tuflow, which is an accredited software programme recognised by
the State Government. I accept that12:-
―Tuflow is highly respected worldwide and is used by many of the leading hydraulic
engineers in Australia including: SKM, Cardno, GHD, WBM and SMEC. It is
accepted by regulatory authorities throughout Australia and by a number of
international agencies including the UK Environment Agency and the USA Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).‖
[39] Mr Boyd was a more confident witness. Confidence in the witness box is appealing
but not a reliable measure of the correctness of opinions expressed. Mr Boyd
accepted Tuflow’s appropriateness for modelling flows in this situation. Mr Boyd
satisfied me that he had a genuine concern about the inputs Mr Suffolk used when
using computer modelling as an aid for predicting water flows. However, Mr Boyd
has never used Tuflow.
[40] Mr Suffolk’s inputs for the computer modelling were chosen on the basis of his
professional opinion.
[41] Mr Boyd did not prove the value of his concerns by using computer modelling with
his preferred inputs. He did no modelling to establish that the results of Mr
Suffolk’s modelling would have materially changed with Mr Boyd’s preferred
inputs or that the results Mr Suffolk obtained were otherwise incorrect predictions.
Mr Boyd did not regard that as his task. Rather, Mr Boyd’s approach was to express
professional opinions on whether more or different inputs would have been better
choices when Mr Suffolk used modelling software to predict hydrological outcomes
and that included expressing an opinion that Mr Suffolk should have used Vekta .2
meter survey data in some instances in preference to LiDAR .5 meter survey data
for the TUFLOW computer analyses and modelling.
[42] It is not necessarily the case that materially different flow outcomes will be
predicted with different inputs. For example, when Mr Suffolk created a computer
model on the hypothesis that a vertical retaining wall barrier forced all of the water
which flowed over Franklin Street down a gully to the location of the Christie Street
culverts, the new model continued to predict no overland flow into lot 8.
[43] Different scenarios were modelled by Mr Suffolk using Tuflow. They were:-
(i) Existing conditions (section 6.3.1, pages 23G, 23H and 23I
of Exhibit FG1);
12 Exhibit 11, page 3 final para.
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(ii) The post-development condition (section 6.3.2, pages 23P,
23Q and 23R of Exhibit FG1);
(iii) A “no pipe” scenario intended to reflect a scenario of a
completely blocked storm pipe network, (section 6.3, pages 23M,
23N and 23O of Exhibit FG1); and
(iv) A hypothetical scenario where a vertical retaining wall
barrier is built to force all of the water which flowed over Franklin
Street down the gully to the location of the Christie Street culverts.
(Exhibit 14 and 14B)
[44] I am persuaded on the balance of probabilities that Mr Suffolk’s inputs, chosen on
the basis of his professional opinion, were adequate, that the predictions on the
bases of his computer modelling were reliable and that his opinion is correct that in
a Q100 event in Canungra Creek there would be no relevant flow over Christie
Street onto lot 8.
[45] I reject the findings urged by the submitters that the change will result in excessive
flow depths and velocities on the footpath proposed for lot 8.
[46] I am satisfied on the basis of Mr Suffolk’s evidence that there is insufficient risk to
pedestrian safety from the risk of overland flow velocities on the proposed footpath
to result in a substantially different development.
[47] Tailwater impact is an issue. The pipes proposed are of a size that when the
council wishes to upgrade the drainage in the upstream catchment on the southern
side of Christie Street and the culverts under Christie Street, the totality of the Q100
flow, some of which would currently flow overland westward along Christie Street,
will be captured and taken underground to the north of the shopping centre and
thence into Canungra Creek. This would be a significant improvement to the
hydraulic regime in the vicinity. But it may have a tailwater impact.
[48] Mr Boyd suggested that there may be impacts as a consequence of tailwater back
up. He did not model the impacts. He did not project particular tailwater impacts.
He opined that tailwater should be considered and that the modelling done by Mr
Suffolk did not address a sufficiently large area. The submissions for the submitters,
consistently with the general nature of Mr Boyd’s evidence, were expressed
generally and did not suggest a particular area (other than lot 8) which would be
adversely impacted by tailwater or the degree of risk of the adverse impact
occurring. The submission was that the:
proposal will (as a result of tailwater considerations and/or friction
impacts) alter the hydraulic regime upstream of Christie Street (i.e.
less stormwater will be able to pass under Christie Street and more
stormwater will either not be able to enter the piped stormwater
network, or will surcharge from the piped stormwater network, and
will flow as overland water in public or private property).
[49] Mr Suffolk’s judgment was proved to be prudent and correct when he nominated a
90.2m AHD obvert for the outlet of the pipes running under the shopping centre in
the original application design. When the Cardno July 2012 report was received, it
indicated a Q100 flow in Canungra Creek in the vicinity of the outlets downstream
of the subject land of between 85m and 90m AHD.
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[50] Material tailwater impacts would arise if:-
1. The outlet pipes whose obverts are to be at 90.2m AHD were submerged i.e.
the Q100 flood would have to be at the absolute highest level of 85m to 90m
AHD projected; and
2. There occurred coincidentally with a Q100 flood in Canungra Creek rising
to 90m at the pipes’ obverts, a one in one hundred year flood in the upstream
catchment.
[51] The likelihood of this coincidence is statistically insignificant. Further, in
identifying the risk of tailwater impacts, Mr Boyd ignored the fact that there are a
number of grates in the car park which would have the capacity to relieve backwater
pressure should the statistically unlikely occurrence occur. Further, there are grates
in the proposed pipes under the easement which would also relieve the pressure.
[52] The risk of consequences from a blocked pipe was raised by the submitters. Any
such risk is lessened by the fact that 3 pipes are contemplated.
[53] I accept Mr Suffolk’s opinion to the effect that the proposed change will not create
any material adverse impact from changed water flows.
[54] The fact that the change would result in the application applying to a new parcel of
land, lot 8, engages a criterion from Statutory Guideline 06/09.
[55] The submitters argued that a consequence is that the change, prima facie, is not a
minor change. The legislation does not say so. The guideline does not say so. The
guideline provides that such a change “may result in a substantially different
development” but in so providing, the guideline commences with the words:
“Although it will depend on the individual circumstances of the development”. This
is consistent with what Rackemann DCJ observed in Heritage Properties13and
Robin QC DCJ observed in Auspacific Engineers Pty Ltd v Scenic Rim Regional
Council & Ors.14I reject the submitters’ submission. I must however, consider the
individual circumstances of the development when considering whether the
application’s application to a new parcel of land results in a substantially different
development.
[56] The involvement of lot 8, the new parcel of land which would be involved in the
amended application, is to facilitate a 3 meter wide footpath to be created on fill to
be laid over the drainage easement under which 3 stormwater pipes will be laid.
[57] The submitters argue that the use of the land now proposed, that is with a footpath
over underground pipes, in lieu of an unfilled drainage easement and carpark
associated with an approval for commercial development, would frustrate a
development proposal that has been previously approved over that land. This
submission was supplemented orally with a submission that the court is not
concerned with the private economic interests of the current owners. The owners,
having obtained ownership of adjoining lots 6, 7 and 8 support this application.
[58] The council urged upon me a generous interpretation of the limits within an
application may be changed, referring to authorities concerned with the IPA15 and
13 Op cit at 511
14 [2010] QPEC 117 at [23]
15 Heilbronn & Partners v Gold Coast City Council [2005] QPELR 386 [21]-[22]
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the SPA16 regimes. The applicant adopted the submissions. It is not necessary for
me to consider them in this case. Generosity is not required.
[59] Lot 8 is affected. It seems to me the consequences for lot 8 can be appropriately
described as insubstantial. However, whether the consequences for lot 8 are
properly described as insubstantial or better described as significant is not the issue
and the difference does not affect the outcome. The issue is whether the proposed
change to the application results in a substantially different development and not
whether there will be a consequence which has significance.17
[60] The result of the change is to enhance the pedestrian connectivity of the proposed
shopping centre to Christie Street, the main street of Canungra, with a footpath over
the drainage easement on lot 8, and to improve the stormwater regime in the vicinity
by filling that easement on lot 8 and laying adequate stormwater pipes beneath the
filled easement. It does not create adverse traffic, vegetation, pedestrian safety or
stormwater impacts. The appellant still proposes to develop a shopping centre of the
same scale, gross floor area, retail offering and style and does not propose to add
new uses or new shopping facilities or offerings.
[61] Looked at broadly and fairly, the changes will not result in a “substantially different
development”.
[62] It is appropriate to make the declaration sought. The parties have been given leave
to be absent when these reasons are published and so I may have no opportunity to
hear submissions on the form of order or wording of the declaration. In this
circumstance, the parties have liberty to apply. There are issues about costs thrown
away. I am content to receive submissions on those issues in writing when the
parties have considered these reasons.
16 Comiskey Group v Moreton Bay Regional Council [2012] QPELR 649 at 660.
17 See eg Dempsey v Brisbane City Council [2012] QPELR 396 at [20]
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Official source: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/QPEC/2013/001