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[2017] ACAT 87
ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal
2017-10-27
Mr P
Original judgment source is linked above.
_(1) Development approval must not be given for a development proposal in the merit track unless the proposal is consistent with - _
(b) if the proposed development relates to land comprised in a rural lease - any land management agreement for the land; and
(c) if the proposed development will affect a registered tree or declared site - the advice of the conservator of flora and fauna in relation to the proposal.
Note 1 An application cannot be approved if it is inconsistent with the territory plan (see s 50) or the National Capital Plan (see Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 (Cwlth), s 11).
_(2) Also, development approval must not be given for a development proposal in the merit track if approval would be inconsistent with any advice given by an entity to which the application was referred under section 148 (Some development applications to be referred) unless the person deciding the application is satisfied that - _
(ii) any realistic alternative to the proposed development, or relevant aspects of it; and
(b) the decision is consistent with the objects of the territory plan.
_(3) To remove any doubt, if a proposed development will affect a registered tree or declared site - _
(a) the person deciding the development application for the proposed development must not approve the application unless the approval is consistent with the advice of the conservator of flora and fauna in relation to the proposal; and
(b) subsection (2) does not apply in relation to the conservator's advice.
In deciding a development application for a development proposal in the merit track, the decision-maker must consider the following:
(a) the objectives for the zone in which the development is proposed to take place;
(b) the suitability of the land where the development is proposed to take place for a development of the kind proposed;
(c) if an environmental significance opinion is in force for the development proposal - the environmental significance opinion;
Note Environmental significance opinion - see s 138AA. Environmental significance opinions expire 18 months after they are notified (see s 138AD).
(d) each representation received by the authority in relation to the application that has not been withdrawn;
(e) if an entity gave advice on the application in accordance with section 149 (Requirement to give advice in relation to development applications) - the entity's advice;
Note Advice on an application is given in accordance with section 149 if the advice is given by an entity not later than 15 working days (or shorter prescribed period) after the day the application is given to the entity. If the entity gives no response, the entity is taken to have given advice that supported the application (see s 150).
(f) if the proposed development relates to land that is public land - the public land management plan for the land;
(g) the probable impact of the proposed development, including the nature, extent and significance of probable environmental impacts.
Proposals in the merit track and impact track must comply with each rule or satisfy its associated criterion, unless the rule is mandatory (i.e. it has no related criterion). Where a rule is fully met, no reference to the related criterion needs to be made. Where there is a departure from a rule, or where a criterion only applies, the onus is on the applicant to demonstrate that the relevant criterion is satisfied, through supporting drawings and/or written documentation.
a) Provide for the establishment and maintenance of residential areas where the housing is low rise and predominantly single dwelling and low density in character
b) Protect the character of established single dwelling housing areas by limiting the extent of change that can occur particularly with regard to the original pattern of subdivision and the density of dwellings
c) Provide for a wide range of affordable and sustainable housing choices that meet changing household and community needs
d) Ensure development respects valued features of the neighbourhood and landscape character of the area and does not have unreasonable negative impacts on neighbouring properties
e) Provide opportunities for home based employment consistent with residential amenity
f) Provide for a limited range of small-scale facilities to meet local needs consistent with residential amenity
(1) This section applies to an application for development approval.
(e) if the application is for approval of a development in the merit track - be accompanied by information or documents addressing the relevant rules and relevant criteria.
Compliance with the rules and criteria of the MUHDC
Setback means the minimum horizontal distance between a building wall ... and the relevant block boundary.
Side and rear boundary setbacks comply with the following:
b) in RZ3, RZ4, RZ5 and commercial zones - Table A7
c) in all other zones - the relevant zone development code
Buildings and other structures are sited to achieve all of the following:
(a) consistency with the desired character
(b) reasonable separation between adjoining developments
(c) reasonable privacy for dwellings on adjoining residential blocks
(d) reasonable privacy for principal private open space on adjoining residential blocks
(e) reasonable solar access to dwellings on adjoining residential blocks and their associated principal private open space.
Basement means a space within a building where the floor level of the space is predominantly below datum ground level and where the finished floor level of the level immediately above the space is less than 1.0 metre above datum ground level.
Desired character means the form of development in terms of siting, building bulk and scale, and the nature of the resulting streetscape that is consistent with the relevant zone objectives, and any statement of desired character in a relevant precinct code.
The applicant's contentions with respect to compliance with R/C30
The respondent's contentions with respect to compliance with R/C30
The party joined's contentions with respect to compliance with R/C30
Private open space means an outdoor area within a block useable for outdoor activities, and may include balconies, terraces and decks, but does not include any area required to be provided for the parking of motor vehicles and any common driveways and common vehicle manoeuvring areas. Up to 25 per cent of any part of private open space may be roofed over, except that a balcony may be entirely roofed over.
Principal private open space means private open space that is directly accessible from a habitable room other than a bedroom
Each dwelling has at least one area of principal private open space that complies with all of the following:
b) has minimum area and dimensions specified in table A9
c) is screened from adjoining public streets and public open space
d) is directly accessible from, and adjacent to, a habitable room other than a bedroom
e) is not located to the south, south-east or south-west of the dwelling, unless it achieves one or more of the following -
i) not less than 3 hours of direct sunlight onto 50% of the minimum required area between the hours of 9am and 3pm on the winter solstice (21 June)
ii) located at an upper floor level and overlooks a public street or public open space.
Principal private open space for each dwelling achieves all [emphasis added] of the following:
a) an area proportionate to the size of the dwelling
b) an extension of the function of the dwelling for relaxation, dining, entertainment, recreation
d) service functions such as clothes drying and mechanical services
The applicant's contentions with respect to compliance with C61
The respondent's contentions with respect to compliance with C61
The party joined's contentions with respect to compliance with C61
Tribunal's conclusions on compliance with the rules and criteria of the MUHDC
There was some consideration in the hearing as to the relationship between R 36 and C 36. Mr Thwaites in his statement for Deakin Residents suggested that the rules and criteria are intended to be associated in their application, and that for elements where both a rule and criterion apply, the rule is the point of departure for assessment, with a requirement for any departure from that rule to be justified by reference to the criterion. The Tribunal thinks there is some merit in this approach. Context is an important tool in statutory interpretation and the requirements in C 36 should be informed by the terms of R 36. In effect C 36 allows a lesser separation than 4 metres but requires this to be justified. Both R 36 and C 36 implement a particular purpose and policy, and this purpose and policy should inform the interpretation of C 36.[40] (emphasis added)
Streetscape includes the visible components within a street (or part of a street) including the private land between facing buildings, including the form of buildings, treatment of setbacks, fencing, existing trees, landscaping, driveway and street layout and surfaces, utility services and street furniture such as lighting, signs, barriers and bus shelters.
C61(a) an area proportionate to the size of the dwelling
C61(b) an extension of the function of the dwelling for relaxation, dining, entertainment, recreation
C61(d) service functions such as clothes drying and mechanical services
Compliance with the objectives of the RZ1 Zone and with section 120
(g) the probable impact of the proposed development, including the nature, extent and significance of probable environmental impacts.
[The process] seems to be this. The codes set out detailed requirements, and in most cases compliance with those will be enough to result in a development that conforms with the objectives for the zone and other matters in s120. However, no code can be so comprehensive that it deals with every imaginable situation. Hence, there is an opportunity in s120 to step back and reflect on whether the code has achieved an outcome consistent with the wider policy objectives for the area.[56]
(1) The objects for a zone set out the policy outcomes intended to be achieved by applying the applicable development table and code to the zone.
(2) Each objective for a zone must be consistent with the statement of strategic directions.
(1) A code (other than a General Code or Precinct Code this is a concept plan) in the Territory Plan must contain either or both of the following:
(a) the detailed rules that apply to development proposals the code applies to;
(b) the criteria that apply to development proposals the code applies to, other than proposals in the code track.
(2) A code must be consistent with each objective for the zone to which the code relates.
(3) A code that sets out the requirements that apply to stated areas, or places, or states that it is a precinct code, is a precinct code
(4) A code that sets out the requirements for types of development, or states that it is a development code, is a development code.
Senior Member Prof T Foley (Presiding), Senior Member G Trickett
[3] T145-154 (party joined); T192-194; T195; T196-197
[9] Statement of John Easthope dated 27 April 2017 at 3.1-3.8
[10] Statement of John Easthope dated 27 April 2017 at 3.4 and Annexure B
[11] Statement of John Easthope dated 27 April 2017 at 4.1-4.9
[12] Statement of John Easthope dated 27 April 2017 annexure C
[13] Statement of Rumana Jamaly dated 18 May 2017
[14] Statement of Rumana Jamaly dated 18 May 2017 at [13]
[15] Notice of decision dated 13 January 2017, T12-32 at page 14
[16] Applicant's final plan for approval - 22 June 2017, exhibit A3 drawing A002 amendment H
[17] The 13 January 2017 development application drawing A001 amendment C T483
[18] Exhibit A3 drawing A002 amendment H
[19] Statement of Rumana Jamaly dated 18 May 2017 at [30]
[20] Option 1 exhibit A7 and option 2 exhibit A8
[25] Witness statement of Rumana Jamaly 18 May 2017 at [30]
[26] As shown in drawing DA04 in the earlier amended plan in exhibit A3
[27] Respondent's outline of submissions at [6]
[28] Respondent's outline of submissions at [7]
[29] Respondent's outline of submissions at [9]
[30] Respondent's outline of submissions at [8]-[11]
[31] Respondent's outline of submissions at [14]-[15]
[32] Respondent's outline of submissions at [16]
[33] Respondent's outline of submissions at [18]-[20]
[34] Witness statement of Rumana Jamaly 18 May 2017, updated attachment D at 3.23
[35] Party Joined's closing statement at [10] citing the 'Standing Committee on Planning, Inquiry into Draft Variation 306' at [73]
[36] Part of exhibit A3 (the amended plans of 13.7.17 do not alter the configuration of PPOS so exhibit 3 is referred to here)
[37] Statement of John Easthope dated 29 May 2017 at 7(d)
[38] See paragraphs 16 and 20 respectively above
[39] Deakin Residents Association v ACT Planning and Land Authority [2015] ACAT 37 (Deakin Residents Association)
[41] Argos Pty Ltd v Corbell [2012] ACTSC 102; (2012) 7 ACTLR 15
[42] Witness statement of Rumana Jamaly 18 May 2017 at [30]
[43] Witness statement of Rumana Jamaly 18 May 2017, updated attachment D at 3.23
[44] Exhibit A3 drawings L501.1, 502.1, 503.1
[51] Exhibit A3, pages 24 and 27 respectively
[53] Applicant's submissions at [33]; respondent's statement of facts and contentions at [15]
[54] The relevant zone objectives for RZ1 changed substantially from those dealt with in Baptist Community Services to those now in force on 5 July 2013
[56] Respondent's outline of submissions at [20]
[61] Applicant's submissions at [38]-[39]
[63] Applicant's submissions at [30]-[32]
[64] Applicant's submissions at [48]-[49]
[66] Witness statement of Rumana Jamaly 18 May 2017 at [57]
[67] Witness statement of Rumana Jamaly 18 May 2017 at [64]-[70]
[68] Witness statement of Rumana Jamaly 18 May 2017 at [76]
[69] Witness statement of Rumana Jamaly 18 May 2017 at [21]
[70] Respondent's statement of facts and contentions at [41]
[71] Respondent's statement of facts and contentions at [46]-[47]
[72] Respondent's statement of facts and contentions at [48]
[73] Respondent's statement of facts and contentions at [50]-[51]
[74] Respondent's statement of facts and contentions at [52]-[53]
[75] Witness statement of Rumana Jamaly 18 May 2017 at [79], [80] and [84]
[76] Respondent's statement of facts and contentions at [62]
[77] Respondent's statement of facts and contentions at [67]
[78] Respondent's statement of facts and contentions at [69]-[70]
[79] Party Joined's closing statement at [19]
[81] Baptist Community Services v ACTPLA [2015] ACTCA 3 cited at [68]
JAVELIN PROJECTS PTY LTD
ACT PLANNING AND LAND AUTHORITY & ANOR
Cases cited: Argos Pty Ltd v Corbell [2012] ACTSC 102; (2012) 7 ACTLR 15
Baptist Community Services v ACT Planning and Land Authority [2015] ACTCA 3
Deakin Residents Association v ACT Planning and Land Authority [2015] ACAT 37
Noah's Ark Resources Centre Inc v ACT Planning and Land Authority [2017] ACAT 44
(2012) 7 ACTLR 15