The ACT Supreme Court's power to grant bare declaratory relief in equity remains uncertain, as the statutory framework confines equitable relief to that available pre-Judicature Act and the power is found only in a subordinate rule (r 2900) rather than in statute. The court proceeded on the assumption that r 2900 combined with s 20 of the Supreme Court Act provides such power, but expressly left the question open. The Territory cannot avoid equitable obligations arising from a scheme of development by delegating its land management function to a statutory body. Declarations regarding hypothetical future development applications will be refused as not addressing a real controversy.
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