Catchwords:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT – powers, functions and duties – rates and charges – categorisation of land for rating purposes – re-categorisation by Council of farmland to mining land – relevance of impact of ongoing drought on cattle grazing – hiatus in activity on land different to abandonment – activity in rating years required to be considered in its context including what occurred previously on the land and what intended to occur after

LOCAL GOVERNMENT – powers, functions and duties – rates and charges – categorisation of land for rating purposes – easement burdening rateable land for benefit of adjacent mine – very small land area subject to easement and cattle grazing rights interrupted only to “trifling extent” – limited significance of easement to determination of dominant use of land

LOCAL GOVERNMENT – powers, functions and duties – rates and charges – categorisation of land for rating purposes – relevance of source of requirement to use land for a particular purpose – reason for existence relevant but not determinative – use of land as Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Offset and Habitat Enhancement Offset areas the antithesis of mining – offset areas not used “for a coal mine” under s 517 Local Government Act – consideration of Peabody Pastoral Holdings 211 LGERA 337