The meaning of "decision" in s 56A
15 The threshold question is whether each of the Commissioners' statements concerning each of the proposed conditions to which this appeal relates is a "decision" within the meaning of s 56A of the Land and Environment Court Act. That section relevantly provides as follows:
"(1) A party to proceedings in Class 1, 2 or 3 of the Court's jurisdiction may appeal to the Court against an order or a decision of the Court on a question of law, being an order or a decision made by a Commissioner or Commissioners.
(2) On the hearing of an appeal under subsection (1), the Court shall:
(a) remit the matter to the Commissioner or Commissioners for determination by the Commissioner or Commissioners in accordance with the decision of the Court, or
(b) make such other order in relation to the appeal as seems fit…"
16 The meaning of "decision" in s 56A must be determined by reference to that section's text, scope and purpose. Clearly, in s 56A a "decision" means something other than an order, for an appeal lies both from an order and a decision. A "decision" in subsection (1) may be contrasted with "determination" of "the matter" in subsection (2), which suggests that a decision may relate to a specific aspect of the whole matter. A decision, in my view, may be found in a judgment prior to an order being made. A s 56A "decision", in my opinion, includes a decision for which provision is made under a statute which brings proceedings within Class 1, 2 or 3 of the Court's jurisdiction. The Land and Environment Court Act gives Class 1 jurisdiction to the Court in respect of, among other things, appeals against refusals to grant development consent and applications to modify a development consent granted by the Court: s 17(d). On such an application to modify a development consent granted by the Court, just as on an appeal against refusal to grant development consent, the Court is empowered to grant approval unconditionally or conditionally, or to refuse the application: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, ss 80, 96; 1643 Pittwater Road Pty Ltd v Pittwater Council [2004] NSWLEC 685 at [41], [52], per McClellan J. The imposition of a specific condition, as well as a refusal to impose a specific condition, is readily characterised as a decision: Australian Broadcasting Tribunal v Bond [1990] HCA 33, (1990) 170 CLR 321 at 390 per Toohey and Gaudron JJ.
17 What are the characteristics of a "decision" within the meaning of s 56A? In Solution 6 Holdings Ltd v Industrial Relations Commission of NSW [2004] NSWCA 200, (2004) 60 NSWLR 585 at [109] - [113] Spigelman CJ held (Mason P and Handley JA agreeing at 597):
"The word 'decision' is of a protean character and takes its colour from its context. Cases interpreting the word in other statutory contexts must be treated with care. Nevertheless they do provide some guidance.