Bettson Properties Pty Ltd & Anor v Tyler

[2019] QCA 176

Queensland Court of Appeal

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Interrogate

Catchwords

1. Statutory Interpretation
2. › Construction of statutory text
3. › Meaning of 'prevents' in context of cascading statutory regime
4. › Whether 'prevents' means 'stops from happening' or extends to 'hinders' or 'renders less advantageous'
5. › Role of statutory context and surrounding provisions in determining meaning
6. › Building Act 1975 (Qld), ss 246Q, 246S
1. Real Property
2. › Restrictive covenants
3. › Building covenants in contracts of sale
4. › Solar panel installation
5. › Enforcement of covenant requiring seller's consent
6. › Whether statutory provisions override contractual covenant
7. › Building Act 1975 (Qld), ss 246L, 246O, 246Q, 246S
1. Statutory Interpretation
2. › Extrinsic materials
3. › Explanatory memoranda
4. › Whether explanatory notes can displace clear statutory text
5. › Acts Interpretation Act 1954 (Qld), s 14A

Quick Take

The word 'prevents' in ss 246Q and 246S of the Building Act 1975 (Qld) means 'stops from happening' — encompassing impossible, impracticable, or impractical installation — but does not extend to merely rendering installation less advantageous or less energy efficient. A building covenant requiring seller consent for solar panel installation is enforceable where the panels can still be viably installed at an alternative location, even at reduced efficiency (here, about 80%). Sections 246O, 246Q and 246S operate as a cascading regime, with each provision being the exclusive form of regulation for its type of covenant: s 246O for prohibitions, s 246Q for location restrictions, and s 246S for consent requirements.