Original language

English

Country
Australia
Date of text
Type of court
National - lower court
Sources
Court name
Land and Environment Court of New South Wales
Seat of court
Sydney
Reference number
[2009] NSWLEC 88
Tagging
Property, Damages
Free tags
Sea
Abstract

After strong storms and increased coastal erosion, John and Anne Vaughan attempted to rebuild an interim sandbag wall that was previously approved by the City Council in a 2001 development consent. The Council sought an injunction from the Court preventing the wall from being rebuilt, arguing that they had a policy of planned retreat and that rebuilding the wall could cause damage to other properties, especially if it was built without approval. The Vaughan’s responded by bringing an action against the Council, alleging a breach of the 2001 development consent. The Court upheld the Council’s request and issued an injunction preventing the wall from being rebuilt. The two parties later came to a settlement before the final hearing allowing the Vaughan’s to rebuild the wall using geobags and sand as opposed to rocks, which they had initially planned to use.

Source:
http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/litigation/byron-shire-council-v-vaughan-vaughan-v-byron-shire-council-land-and-environment-court-of-new-south-wales-2009/