The role of public interest environmental litigation

Environmental and Planning Law Journal

Volumn 23, Issue 5, 2006, Pages 337-350

  Preston, Justice Brian J ^a  

^a Land and Environment Court of New South Wales ^*

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EID: 70449128542     PISSN: 0813300X     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (128)

1. Sax JL, Defending the Environment: A Handbook for Citizen Action (Vintage Books, 1971).
2. Sax, n 1, p xviii.
3. Robinson D, "The Environmental Defender's Office NSW, 1985-1995" (1996) 13 EPLJ 155.
4. Sax, n 1, p xviii.
5. Galligan D, Discretionary Powers (Clarendon Press, 1990) p 236.
6. Preston BJ, "Institutional Rules in Establishing and Enforcing Environmental Priorities" (1991) 10 UCLA Pacific Basin Law Journal 224 at 229.
7. Brennan G, "Courts, Democracy and the Law" (1991) 65 ALJ 32 at 34.
8. Brennan, n 7 at 34.
9. Brennan, n 7 at 35.
10. Brennan, n 7 at 36-37.
11. Partington M, "The Reform of Public Law in Britain: Theoretical Problems and Practical Considerations" in McAuslan P and McEldowney JF (eds), Law, Legitimacy and the Constitution (Sweet and Maxwell, 1985) pp 191-193.
12. Sax, n 1, pp 111-112.
13. Sax, n 1, p 112.
14. Sax, n 1, p xviii.
15. Sax, n 1, p 152.
16. Sax, n 1, p 152.
17. Corkill v Forestry Commission of NSW (1991) 73 LGRA 126, per Stein J; Corkill v Hope [No 3] (1991) 74 LGRA 33, per Stein J; and Forestry Commission of NSW v Corkill (1991) 73 LGRA 247.
18. Bates G, "The Tasmanian Dam Case and its Significance in Environmental Law" (1984) 1 EPLJ 325.
19. Tsamenyi BM and Bedding J, "The World Heritage Convention in the High Court: A Commentary on the Tasmanian Forest Case" (1988) 5 EPLJ 232.
20. Davis B "Federal-State Tensions in Australian Environmental Management: The World Heritage Issue" (1989) 6 EPLJ 66.
21. Boer B, "Natural Resources and the National Estate" (1989) 6 EPLJ 134.
22. Tsamenyi BM, Bedding J and Wall L, "Determining the World Heritage Values of the Lemonthyme and Southern Forests: Lessons from the Helsham Inquiry" (1990) 7 EPLJ 79.
23. Richardson BJ, "A Study of Australian Practice Pursuant to the World Heritage Convention" (1990) 20 Environmental Policy and Law 143.
24. Boer BW, "World Heritage Disputes in Australia" (1992) 7 Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation 247.
25. Sinclair v Mining Warden at Maryborough (1975) 132 CLR 473; 34 LGRA 1; Murphyores Inc Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1976) 136 CLR 1; 38 LGRA 224; and Sinclair v Murphyores Inc Pty Ltd [1978] Qd R 239.
26. Commonwealth v Tasmania (1983) 158 CLR 1 (Tasmanian Dams Case).
27. Richardson v Forestry Commission (1988) 164 CLR 261 (Tasmanian Forests Case).
28. Queensland v Commonwealth (1989) 167 CLR 232 (Wet Tropics Case).
29. Spigelman JJ, Jurisdiction and Integrity (the second lecture in the 2004 National Lecture Series for the Australian Institute of Administrative Law, 5 August 2004).
30. Preston BJ, "Judicial Review in Environmental Cases" (1993) 10 Australian Bar Review 147 at 157-159.
31. Preston BJ "Ultra Vires Decisions in Environmental Law in NSW" (1986) 3 EPLJ 271.
32. Preston BJ, "Public Enforcement of Environmental Laws in Australia" (1991) 6 Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation 39 at 44-46.
33. Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation [1948] 1 KB 223 at 230 and 233-234.
34. Prasad v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1985) 6 FCR 155 at 169-170.
35. Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; Ex parte Applicant S 20/2002 (2003) 77 ALJR 1165 at 1173, 1175 and 1194; Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs v SGLB (2004) 78 ALJR 992 at 998; Greyhound Racing Authority (NSW) v Bragg [2003] NSWCA 388 at [57]-[66]; Woolworths Ltd v Pallas Newco Pty Ltd (2004) 61 NSWLR 707; 136 LGERA 288 at 308; and Murrumbidgee Groundwater Preservation Association Inc v Minister for Natural Resources (2005) 138 LGERA 11; [2005] NSWCA 10 at [129]. See also Hill v Green (1999) 48 NSWLR 161 at 174-175.
36. Airo-Farulla G, "Rationality and Judicial Review of Administrative Action" [2000] MULR 23.
37. Aronson M, "Unreasonable ness and Error of Law" [2001] UNSWLJ 26.
38. Preston, n 24 at 153-165.
39. Sax, n 1, p 115.
40. Goldring J, "The Values Inherent in Judicial Review" (1989) Canberra Bulletin of Public Administration 78 at 79.
41. Blue Mountains Conservation Society Inc v Director-General of National Parks and Wildlife Service (2004) 133 LGERA 406 at 417.
42. Filming Approval Act 2004 (NSW).
43. Briody M and Prenzler T, "The Enforcement of Environmental Protection Laws in Queensland: A Case Study of Regulatory Capture?" (1998) 15 EPLJ 54 at 55-56.
44. Briody and Prenzler, n 33 at 56.
45. Preston BJ, Environmental Litigation (Law Book Co, 1989).
46. Preston (1991), n 24 at 42, 49-61, 65-73, and 78; Preston (1993), n 24 at 165-174.
47. Stein PL, "The Role of the Land and Environment Court in Emergence of Public Interest Law" (1996) 13 EPLJ 179.
48. Smith J, The Precautionary Principle and the Public Interest (paper presented at the Australian Centre of Environmental Law Conference, Canberra, 20-21 November 2003) pp 12-22.
49. Per Stein J, upheld by the Court of Appeal in Forestry Commission (NSW) v Corkill (1991) 73 LGRA 247.
50. Full Federal Court upholding Queensland Conservation Council Inc v Minister for the Environment and Heritage [2003] FCA 1463, per Kiefel J.
51. Minister for the Environment and Heritage v Queensland Conservation Council Inc (2004) 134 LGERA 272 at 287-288.
52. Minister for Environment & Heritage v Queensland Conservation Council Inc (2004) 134 LGERA 272 at 288.
53. Fisher DE, "The Meaning of Impacts - The Nathan Dam Case on Appeal" (2004) 21 EPLJ 325.
54. McGrath C, "Key Concepts of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1995 (Cth)" (2005) 22 EPLJ 20 at 36.
55. McGrath C, "The Flying Fox Case" (2001) 18 EPLJ 540.
56. Booth v Bosworth (2001) 117 LGERA 168 at 184, [67]-[68].
57. Booth v Bosworth (2001) 117 LGERA 168 at 194, [103].
58. Booth v Bosworth (2001) 117 LGERA 168 at 194, [105].
59. Bonyhady T, "A Usable Past - The Public Trust in Australia" (1995) 12 EPLJ 329 at 330-331.
60. Preston BJ and Smith J, "Legislation Needed for an Effective Court" in Promise, Perception, Problems and Remedies: The Land and Environment Court and Environmental Law 1979-1999 (Nature Conservation Council, 1999) pp 103 and 112-117.
61. Robinson D, "Public Interest Environmental Law - Commentary and Analysis" in Robinson D and Dunkley J, (eds) Public Interest Perspectives in Environmental Law (Wiley Chancery, 1995) pp 294 and 314-315.
62. For illustrations of courts developing the ESD principles, see in relation to inter-generational equity, the Supreme Court of Philippines decision in Oposa v Factoran, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (GR No 101683, 30 July 1993) (1994) 33 ILM 173; and in relation to the precautionary principle, Leatch v Shoalhaven City Council (1993) 81 LGERA 270, Conservation Council of South Australia v Development Assessment Committee and Tuna Boat Owners Association (No 2) [1999] SAERDC 86; and on appeal Tuna Boat Owners Association of SA Inc v Development Assessment Commission (2000) 77 SASR 369; 110 LGERA 1; and BGP Properties Pty Ltd v Lake Macquarie City Council (2004) 138 LGERA 237; [2004] NSWLEC 399.
63. Pearson L, "Incorporating ESD Principles in Land-Use Decision-Making: Some Issues after Teoh" (1996) 13 EPLJ 47.
64. Barton C, "The Precautionary Principle in Australia: Its Emergence in Legislation and as a Common Law Doctrine" (1998) 22 Harv Envtl L Rev 509.
65. Stein P and Mahony P, "Incorporating Sustainability in Legislation" in Leadbetter P, Gunningham N and Boer B, Environmental Outlook No 3 Law and Policy (Federation Press, 1999) p 57.
66. Stein PL, "Are Decision-Makers too Cautious with the Precautionary Principle?" (2000) 17 EPLJ 3.
67. Wyman L, "Acceptance of the Precautionary Principle - Australia v International Decision-Makers" (2001) 18 EPLJ 395.
68. Nagorka F, "Saying What You Mean and Meaning What You Say - Precaution, Science and the Importance of Language" (2003) 20 EPLJ 211.
69. Telstra Corporation Ltd v Hornsby Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 133, which explores the precautionary principle and Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd (2006) 145 LGERA 234; [2006] NSWLEC 34, which discusses the principles of ecologically sustainable development in sentencing for environmental offences.
70. Preston BJ, "The Role of the Judiciary in Promoting Sustainable Development: The Experience of Asia and the Pacific" (2006) 9 APJEL 105.
71. Sax, n 1, pp 155-156.
72. Cabonne Shire Council v EPA (2001) 115 LGERA 304 at 306.
73. For a comprehensive explanation of the process of describing and listing threatened ecological communities.
74. Preston BJ and Adam P, "Describing and Listing Threatened Ecological Communities Under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW): Part 1 - The Assemblage of Species and the Particular Area" (2004) 21 EPLJ 250.
75. Preston BJ and Adam P, "Describing and Listing Threatened Ecological Communities Under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW): Part 2 - The Role of the Supplementary Descriptors" (2004) EPLJ 372.
76. Sax, n 1, p xviii.
77. Sax, n 1, p 157.
78. Prineas v Forestry Commission of NSW (1983) 49 LGRA 402 at 417; Warren v Electricity Commission of NSW (1990) 130 LGERA 565 at 569-571; and Schaffer Corporation Ltd v Hawkesbury City Council (1992) 77 LGRA 21 at 30-31.
79. Preston BJ, "Adequacy of Environmental Impact Statements in New South Wales" (1986) 3 EPLJ 194.
80. Preston BJ, "The Environmental Impact Statement Threshold Test: When is an Activity Likely to Significantly Affect the Environment" (1990) 7 EPLJ 147.
81. Sax, n 1, p 113.
82. Hale v Parramatta City Council (1982) 47 LGRA 319; Weal v Bathurst City Council (2000) 111 LGERA 181; Centro Properties Ltd v Hurstville City Council (2004) 135 LGERA 257 at 266-267; Friends of South West Rocks v Machro (2004) 136 LGERA 198 at 215-216.
83. Weal v Bathurst City Council (2000) 111 LGERA 181 at 185 and 201.
84. Sax, n 1, p 154.
85. Kivi v Forestry Commission of NSW (1982) 47 LGRA 38, per Cripps J; Prineas v Forestry Commission of NSW (1983) 49 LGRA 402, per Cripps J; and Prineas v Forestry Commission of NSW (1984) 53 LGRA 160 (Court of Appeal); Jarasius v Forestry Commission of NSW (1988) 71 LGRA 79, per Hemmings J; Bailey v Forestry Commission of NSW (1989) 67 LGRA 200, per Hemmings J; Jarasius v Forestry Commission of NSW (No 2) (1989) 69 LGRA 156, per Bignold J; Corkill v Forestry Commission of NSW (1990) 71 LGRA 116, per Hemmings J; Corkill v Forestry Commission of NSW (1991) 73 LGRA 126, per Stein J; and Forestry Commission of NSW v Corkill (1991) 73 LGRA 247.
86. F Hannan Pty Ltd v Electricity Commission of NSW [No 1] (1983) 51 LGRA 353, per Cripps J; F Hannan Pty Ltd v Electricity Commission of NSW [No 2] (1983) 51 LGRA 369; and F Hannan Pty Ltd v Electricity Commission of NSW [No 3] (1985) 66 LGRA 306.
87. Fiss O, "Against Settlement" (1984) 93 Yale LJ 1073 at 1085.
88. Preston BJ "Limits of Environmental Dispute Resolution Mechanisms" (1995) 13 Aust Bar Rev 148 at 163.
89. Sax, n 1, pp 58-59.
90. Hardin G, "Tragedy of the Commons" (1968) 162 Science 1243 at 1243-1248.
91. Preston BJ, "The Role of Property Rights and Intellectual Property Rights in the Conservation of Biological Diversity" in Boer B, Fowler R, Gunningham N (eds), Environmental Outlook No 2 Law and Policy (Federation Press, 1996) pp 202-203.
92. For an example of the tragedy of the commons in relation to natural heritage areas.
93. Marshall DG and Moore SA, "Tragedy of the Commons and the Neglect of Science: Planning and Management in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area" (2000) 17 EPLJ 126.
94. Sax JL, "The Public Trust Doctrine in Natural Resources Law: Effective Judicial Intervention" (1969-1970) 68 Mich L Rev 471.
95. Sax JL and Conner RL, "Michigan's Environmental Protection Act of 1970: A Progress Report" (1972) 70 Mich L Rev 1003.
96. Sax, n 1, p 59.
97. Sax, n 1, pp 59-60.
98. Corkill v Forestry Commission of New South Wales (1991) 73 LGRA 126 and Forestry Commission of New South Wales v Corkill (1991) 73 LGRA 247.
99. Booth v Boswell (2001) 114 FCR 39; 117 LGERA 168.
100. Humane Society International Inc v Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha Ltd [2006] FCAFC 116, reversing Humane Society International v Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha Ltd [2005] FCA 664; and Humane Society International v Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha Ltd (2004) 212 ALR 551; [2004] FCA 1510.
101. Preston, n 59 at 158-159.
102. Habermas J, "Reason and Rationalisation of Society", in The Theory of Communicative Action (trans T McCarthy, Beacon Press, 1984) Vol 1, pp 25, 32, 35-36.
103. Bacow LS and Wheeler M, Environmental Dispute Resolutio (Plenum Press, 1984) pp 1-2.
104. Sagoff M, The Economy of the Earth (Cambridge University Press, 1988) p 17.
105. Leopold A, "The Land Ethic" in A Land County Almanac (Ballantine Books, 1980) p 243.
106. Sagoff, n 71, pp147-148.
107. Oposa v Factoran, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Resources (GR No 101083, 30 July 1993) (1994) 33 ILM 173.
108. Leopold, n 72, p 262.
109. The Committee of Inquiry was chaired by Justice RM Hope QC and included amongst its eminent members the conservationist Milo Dunphy, the ecologist Len Webb, the poet Judith Wright-McKinney and Professor David Yencken.
110. Australia, Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the National Estate (AGPS, 1975) p 27, para 1.44.
111. Australia, n 77, p 31, para 1.72.
112. Australia, n 77, p 31, para 1.73.
113. Sagoff, n 71, p 144.
114. Evans M, Principles of Environmental Heritage (Prospect, 2000) p 31.
115. Cases and articles in fn 18-22 above.
116. Tillitt G, Resolving Conflict: A Practical Approach (Sydney University Press, 1991) p 6; and Preston, n 59 at 155.
117. Olegas Truchanas was inspired by the beauty of the Tasmanian Wilderness and fought to save the ecologically sensitive Lake Pedder from inundation by the Hydro Electric Commission, although tragically drowning in it.
118. Angus M, The World of Olegas Truchanas (Olegas Truchanas Publication Committee, 1975).
119. The film Wildness (2003) written and directed by Scott Millwood tells the story of Tasmanian wilderness photographers Olegas Truchanas and Peter Dombrovskis.
120. Peter Dombrovskis was inspired in part by Olegas Truchanas. He was instrumental in the campaign to save the Franklin and Gordon Rivers. His iconic photograph "Morning Mist, Rock Island Bend, Franklin River" was used in press advertisements before the federal election to stop the Hydro Electric Commission from damming the Franklin River.
121. Bonyhady T, "When a Picture Packs a Punch" Sydney Morning Herald (10 June 2004).
122. Bonyhady T, Environmental Protection and Legal Change (Federation Press, 1992).
123. Bonyhady T, Places Worth Keeping: Conservation, Politics and the Law (Allen & Unwin, 1993).
124. Wright J, "Wilderness, Waste and History" in Messer J and Mosley G, The Value of National Parks to the Community (ACF, 1980) pp 19-29.
125. Wright J, Half a Lifetime (Text Publishing, 1999).
126. Murcutt G, Cooper J and Haig B, Glenn Murcutt: A Singular Architectural Practice: 2002 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize (Images Publishing, 2002).
127. Fromond F, Glenn Murcutt: Buildings and Projects 1962-2003 (2nd ed, Thames and Hudson, 2003).
128. Winner of the Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award 2004.