Characterisation of proceedings as public interest litigation does not of itself warrant departure from the general rule that costs follow the event; 'something more' is required. Proceedings challenging the validity of statutory approvals relating to coal seam gas exploration, which do not directly raise environmental protection issues, may not readily satisfy the 'something more' requirement even where there is significant public interest in the environmental impacts of the relevant industry. The fact that an unsuccessful appellant established error on one ground and that respondents filed notices of contention does not constitute the 'something more' required.
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