FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

 

Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Letten (No 3)

[2010] FCA 512


Citation:

Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Letten (No 3) [2010] FCA 512



Parties:

AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION v MARK RONALD LETTEN (and others according to the attached schedule)



File number:

VID 95 of 2010



Judge:

GORDON J



Date of judgment:

25 May 2010



Legislation:

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)



Cases cited:

Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Letten [2010] FCA 140

Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Letten (No 2) [2010] FCA 307

 

 

Date of hearing:

21 May 2010

 

 

Date of last submissions:

21 May 2010

 

 

Place:

Melbourne

 

 

Division:

GENERAL DIVISION

 

 

Category:

No Catchwords

 

 

Number of paragraphs:

30

 

 

Counsel for the Plaintiff:

AP Trichardt

 

 

Solicitor for the Plaintiff:

Australian Securities and Investments Commission

 

 

Counsel for the First Defendant:

SJ Hibble

 

 

Solicitor for the First Defendant:

Baker & McKenzie

 

 

Counsel for the Seventeenth Defendant:

T Woodward

 

 

Solicitor for the Seventeenth Defendant:

Mills Oakley

 

 

Counsel for the Receivers:

R Strong

 

 

Solicitor for the Receivers:

Mallesons Stephen Jaques

 

 

Solicitor for Westpac Banking Corporation:

C Hinchen for Allens Arthur Robinson




IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

 

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY

 

GENERAL DIVISION

VID 95 of 2010

 

BETWEEN:

AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION

Plaintiff

 


AND:

MARK RONALD LETTEN

First Defendant

(and others according to the attached schedule)

 

 

JUDGE:

GORDON J

DATE OF ORDER:

25 May 2010

WHERE MADE:

MELBOURNE

 

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

 

NOTE:  For the purposes of this order, “Property”, “Receivers”, “Scheme” and “Secured Lender” have the meanings ascribed to them respectively in the Orders of Justice Gordon in this proceeding made on 25 February 2010 (25 February Orders).

A.        Scheme number 4: George Street Joint Venture, Sixth Defendant: Enmore Enterprises Pty Ltd

1          Paragraphs 3 and 8(c) of the 25 February Orders be varied with respect to the George Street Joint Venture and the Sixth Defendant so that the Receivers shall have the power to sell the land, buildings and fixtures located at 34 George Street, Launceston, Tasmania (George Street Property).

2          In selling the George Street Property, the Receivers, consistent with their duties as receivers and managers:

(a)        shall obtain proposals from at least three real estate agents or other agent(s) in relation to the sale of the George Street Property;

(b)        shall select and appoint that real estate or other agent(s) to sell the George Street Property which the Receivers believe, on the basis of the proposals submitted, to be the most appropriate in all of the circumstances (and as consented to by the Secured Lender), provided that the sales commission payable to the selling agent shall not exceed 1% (plus GST), exclusive of disbursements, of the achieved sale price;

(c)        shall conduct a marketing campaign for the George Street Property for a period of not less than four weeks;

(d)        may sell the George Street Property either by auction, tender or expressions of interest as agreed with the appointed agent(s);

(e)        may sell the George Street Property together with or separately from the Cimitiere House Property referred to in Part B of this order; and

(f)         shall, upon commencement of the sale process, write to all investors in the George Street Joint Venture (either by email where email addresses of the investors are known or by mail in all other cases) setting out:

(i)         the identity of the appointed agent(s); and

(ii)        the process (in general terms) which will be adopted by the Receivers in selling the George Street Property.

3          Subject to paragraph 2(b) above, the Receivers are justified in paying all agent’s reasonable fees and other reasonable expenses associated with the sale of the George Street Property.

4          Except as specifically set out in paragraph 3 above or otherwise until further order of the Court, the proceeds of sale of the George Street Property will be paid into the bank account established by the Receivers in relation to the George Street Joint Venture and will not be distributed.

B.        Scheme number 5: Cimitiere House Joint Venture, Sixth Defendant: Enmore Enterprises Pty Ltd

5          Paragraphs 3 and 8(c) of the 25 February Orders be varied with respect to the Cimitiere House Joint Venture and the Sixth Defendant so that the Receivers shall have the power to sell the land, buildings and fixtures located at
113-115 Cimitiere Street, Launceston, Tasmania (Cimitiere House Property).

6          In selling the Cimitiere House Property, the Receivers, consistent with their duties as receivers and managers:

(a)        shall obtain proposals from at least three real estate agents or other agent(s) in relation to the sale of the Cimitiere House Property;

(b)        shall select and appoint that real estate or other agent(s) to sell the Cimitiere House Property which the Receivers believe, on the basis of the proposals submitted, to be the most appropriate in all of the circumstances (and as consented to by the Secured Lender), provided that the sales commission payable to the selling agent shall not exceed 1% (plus GST), exclusive of disbursements, of the achieved sale price;

(c)        shall conduct a marketing campaign for the Cimitiere House Property for a period of not less than four weeks;

(d)        may sell the Cimitiere House Property either by auction, tender or expressions of interest as agreed with the appointed agent(s);

(e)        may sell the Cimitiere House Property together with or separately from the George Street Property referred to in Part A of this Order; and

(f)         shall, upon commencement of the sale process, write to all investors in the Cimitiere House Joint Venture (either by email where email addresses of the investors are known or by mail in all other cases) setting out:

(i)         the identity of the appointed agent(s); and

(ii)        the process (in general terms) which will be adopted by the Receivers in selling the Cimitiere House Property.

7          Subject to paragraph 6(b) above, the Receivers are justified in paying all agent’s reasonable fees and other reasonable expenses associated with the sale of the Cimitiere House Property.

8          Except as specifically set out in paragraph 7 above or otherwise until further order of the Court, the proceeds of sale of the Cimitiere House Property will be paid into the bank account established by the Receivers in relation to the Cimitiere House Joint Venture and will not be distributed.

C.        Scheme number 8: Low Head Joint Venture, Twelfth Defendant: Low Head Village Pty Ltd

9          Paragraphs 3 and 8(c) of the 25 February Orders be varied with respect to the Low Head Joint Venture and the Twelfth Defendant so that the Receivers shall have the power to sell:

(a)        the land, buildings and fixtures located at:

(i)         128-136 Low Head Road, George Town, Tasmania;

(ii)        142 Low Head Road, George Town, Tasmania; and

(iii)       40 Gunns Parade, Low Head, Tasmania; and

(b)        the Low Head Tourist Park business located at 136 Low Head Road, George Town, Tasmania,

(each a Low Head Property and collectively the Low Head Properties).

10        In selling the Low Head Properties, the Receivers, consistent with their duties as receivers and managers:

(a)        shall obtain proposals from at least three real estate agents or other agent(s) in relation to the sale of the Low Head Properties;

(b)        shall select and appoint that real estate or other agent(s) to sell the Low Head Properties which the Receivers believe, on the basis of the proposals submitted, to be the most appropriate in all of the circumstances (and as consented to by the Secured Lenders), provided that the sales commission payable to the selling agent shall not exceed 2% (plus GST), exclusive of disbursements, of the achieved sale price;

(c)        shall conduct a marketing campaign for the Low Head Properties for a period of not less than four weeks;

(d)        may sell the Low Head Properties either by auction, tender or expressions of interest as agreed with the appointed agent(s);

(e)        may sell each Low Head Property together with or separately from the other Low Head Properties; and

(f)         shall, upon commencement of the sale process, write to all investors in the Low Head Joint Venture (either by email where email addresses of the investors are known or by mail in all other cases) setting out:

(i)         the identity of the appointed agent(s); and

(ii)        the process (in general terms) which will be adopted by the Receivers in selling the Low Head Properties.

11        Subject to paragraph 10(b) above, the Receivers are justified in paying all agent’s reasonable fees and other reasonable expenses associated with the sale of the Low Head Properties.

12        Except as specifically set out in paragraph 11 above or otherwise until further order of the Court, the proceeds of sale of the Low Head Properties will be paid into the bank account established by the Receivers in relation to the Low Head Joint Venture and will not be distributed.

D.        Scheme number 9: Nicholson Street Joint Venture, Thirteenth Defendant: Nicholson Street Pty Ltd, Fourteenth Defendant: Holloway Crest Pty Ltd and Fifteenth Defendant: Rosebery Enterprises Pty Ltd

13        Paragraphs 3 and 8(c) of the 25 February Orders be varied with respect to the Nicholson Street Joint Venture and the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Defendants so that the Receivers shall have the power to sell the land, buildings and fixtures located at 127 - 137 Nicholson Street, Brunswick, Victoria (Nicholson Street Property).

14        In selling the Nicholson Street Property, the Receivers, consistent with their duties as receivers and managers:

(a)        shall obtain proposals from at least three real estate agents or other agent(s) in relation to the sale of the Nicholson Street Property;

(b)        shall select and appoint that real estate or other agent(s) to sell the Nicholson Street Property which the Receivers believe, on the basis of the proposals submitted, to be the most appropriate in all of the circumstances (and as consented to by the Secured Lender), provided that the sales commission payable to the selling agent shall not exceed 1% (plus GST), exclusive of disbursements, of the achieved sale price;

(c)        shall conduct a marketing campaign for the Nicholson Street Property for a period of not less than four weeks;

(d)        may commence the marketing campaign for the Nicholson Street Property prior to the completion of the rezoning of that property;

(e)        may sell the Nicholson Street Property either by auction, tender or expressions of interest as agreed with the appointed agent(s);

(f)         may invite both unconditional offers for the Nicholson Street Property and offers which are conditional upon the completion of the rezoning;

(g)        shall, upon commencement of the sale process, write to all investors in the Nicholson Street Joint Venture (either by email where email addresses of the investors are known or by mail in all other cases) setting out:

(i)         the identity of the appointed agent(s); and

(ii)        the process (in general terms) which will be adopted by the Receivers in selling the Nicholson Street Property.

15        Subject to paragraph 14(b) above, the Receivers are justified in paying all agent’s reasonable fees and other reasonable expenses associated with the sale of the Nicholson Street Property.

16        Except as specifically set out in paragraph 15 above or otherwise until order of the Court, the proceeds of sale of the Nicholson Street Property will be paid into the bank account established by the Receivers in relation to the Nicholson Street Joint Venture and will not be distributed.

E.         Scheme number 13: The Glen Centre Joint Venture, Eighteenth Defendant: The Glen Centre Hawthorn Pty Ltd, Nineteenth Defendant: Castello Holdings Pty Ltd

17        Paragraphs 3 and 8(c) of the 25 February Orders be varied with respect to The Glen Centre Joint Venture and the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Defendants so that the Receivers shall have the power to sell the land, buildings and fixtures located at 673-681 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, Victoria (The Glen Centre Property).

18        In selling The Glen Centre Property, the Receivers, consistent with their duties as receivers and managers:

(a)        shall obtain proposals from at least three real estate agents or other agent(s) in relation to the sale of The Glen Centre Property;

(b)        shall select and appoint that real estate or other agent(s) to sell The Glen Centre Property which the Receivers believe, on the basis of the proposals submitted, to be the most appropriate in all of the circumstances (and as consented to by the Secured Lender), provided that the sales commission payable to the selling agent shall not exceed 1% (plus GST), exclusive of disbursements, of the achieved sale price;

(c)        shall conduct a marketing campaign for The Glen Centre Property for a period of not less than four weeks;

(d)        may sell The Glen Centre Property either by auction, tender or expressions of interest as agreed with the appointed agent(s); and

(e)        shall, upon commencement of the sale process, write to all investors in The Glen Centre Joint Venture (either by email where email addresses of the investors are known or by mail in all other cases) setting out:

(i)         the identity of the appointed agent(s); and

(ii)        the process (in general terms) which will be adopted by the Receivers in selling The Glen Centre Property.

19        Subject to paragraph 18(b) above, the Receivers are justified in paying all agent’s reasonable fees and other reasonable expenses associated with the sale of The Glen Centre Property.

20        Except as specifically set out in paragraph 19 above or otherwise until further order of the Court, the proceeds of sale of The Glen Centre Property will be paid into the bank account established by the Receivers in relation to The Glen Centre Joint Venture and will not be distributed.

F.         Scheme number 14: Twinview Joint Venture, Twentieth Defendant: Twinview Nominees Pty Ltd

21        Paragraphs 3 and 8(c) of the 25 February Orders be varied with respect to the Twinview Joint Venture and the Twentieth Defendant so that the Receivers shall have the power to sell the land, buildings and fixtures located at 167 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Victoria (Twinview Property).

22        In selling the Twinview Property, the Receivers, consistent with their duties:

(a)        shall obtain proposals from at least three real estate agents or other agent(s) in relation to the sale of the Twinview Property;

(b)        shall select and appoint that real estate or other agent(s) to sell the Twinview Property which the Receivers believe, on the basis of the proposals submitted, to be the most appropriate in all of the circumstances (and as consented to by the Secured Lender), provided that the sales commission payable to the selling agent shall not exceed 1% (plus GST), exclusive of disbursements, of the achieved sale price;

(c)        shall conduct a marketing campaign for the Twinview Property for a period of not less than four weeks;

(d)        may sell the Twinview Property either by auction, tender or expressions of interest as agreed with the appointed agent(s); and

(e)        shall, upon commencement of the sale process, write to all investors in the Twinview Joint Venture (either by email where email addresses of the investors are known or by mail in all other cases) setting out:

(i)         the identity of the appointed agent(s); and

(ii)        the process (in general terms) which will be adopted by the Receivers in selling the Twinview Property.

23        Subject to paragraph 22(b) above, the Receivers are justified in paying all agent’s reasonable fees and other reasonable expenses associated with the sale of the Twinview Property.

24        Except as specifically set out in paragraph 23 above or otherwise until further order of the Court, the proceeds of sale of the Twinview Property will be paid into the bank account established by the Receivers in relation to the Twinview Joint Venture and will not be distributed.

G.        General matters

25        The further hearing of the matter be adjourned to 9:30am on 28 May 2010.

26        Costs be reserved.


Note:Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.
The text of entered orders can be located using Federal Law Search on the Court’s website.




IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

 

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY

 

GENERAL DIVISION

VID 95 of 2010

 

BETWEEN:

AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION

Plaintiff

 


AND:

MARK RONALD LETTEN

First Defendant

(and others according to the attached schedule)

 

JUDGE:

GORDON J

DATE:

25 MAY 2010

PLACE:

MELBOURNE


REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

INTRODUCTION

1                          On 25 February 2010, the schemes numbered 1, 4 to 9 and 13 to 16 in Annexure A to these reasons for decision were wound up pursuant to s 601EE(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Act).  Also on 25 February 2010, Mr Damian Templeton and Mr Phillip Hennessy of KPMG (the Receivers) were appointed as joint and several receivers and managers of certain property of each of the second to sixteenth and eighteenth to forty-fifth defendants (the Corporate Defendants) and as joint and several receivers and managers of identified property of each of the schemes listed in Annexure A (the Schemes) except for the scheme numbered 12: Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Letten [2010] FCA 140 (the 25 February Orders). 

2                          On 4 March 2010, Orders were made appointing the Receivers as joint and several receivers and managers of the property of the scheme defined in those orders as “the funds invested, contributed or deposited by investors for the purpose of acquiring an interest in the project known as SY21 Retail Complex Project” (the SY21 Scheme), being the scheme numbered 12 in Annexure A (the 4 March Orders).  The 4 March Orders also provided the SY21 Scheme be wound up pursuant to s 601EE(1) of the Act. 

3                          On 31 March 2010, Orders were made providing that the Receivers were justified in causing certain Corporate Defendants which owned or operated the schemes numbered 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 14, 15 and 16 in Annexure A to borrow funds from Westpac Banking Corporation Limited (Westpac) on certain conditions to maintain the status quo: see Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Letten (No 2) [2010] FCA 307.

4                          The 25 February Orders required the Receivers to do a number of things.  Two aspects of the 25 February Orders should be noted.  First, the 25 February Orders required the Receivers to file and serve a report in respect of, inter alia, the nature and identity of the property of each Scheme, any claims by third parties in relation to the property of the Scheme, the identities of investors and the nature of their investment (the Disclosure Reports).  Secondly, the 25 February Orders required the Receivers to provide a copy of a Disclosure Report in respect of a Scheme to the investors in that Scheme.

5                          On 13 April 2010, the Receivers filed Disclosure Reports in relation to each Scheme listed in Annexure A except for schemes numbered 6, 15 and 16.  The Disclosure Reports for schemes numbered 6, 15 and 16 were filed on 28 April 2010. 

6                          On 6 May 2010, the Receivers were directed to send a circular to all investors clarifying the way in which investors could make submissions to the Court in relation to the future of any of the Schemes.  Between 11 and 19 May 2010, submissions were received from 33 investors in relation to the schemes numbered 4, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 14 in Annexure A.  These submissions will be addressed in further detail below.

7                          The Receivers now seek a power of sale in relation to the property of the schemes numbered 4, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 14 in Annexure A.  At the hearing of the application, the Receivers did not pursue their application for orders approving distribution of any proceeds and / or payment of their costs associated with disposal of any property of these schemes.  Instead, the Receivers sought to vary paragraphs 3 and 8(c) of the 25 February Orders so that the Receivers had the power to dispose of the property of the schemes numbered 4, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 14 in Annexure A.  

8                          Before turning to consider each scheme separately, the Receivers submitted that there were a number of submissions applicable to each of the schemes numbered 4, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 14 in Annexure A which supported the grant of the power of sale including:

1.         on 25 February 2010, the Court ordered the scheme be wound up pursuant to s 601EE of the Act;

2.         the property of the scheme is subject to mortgages and charges which secure substantial debts, and the scheme does not have the resources to pay the debts otherwise than out of the proceeds of the sale of the property of the scheme;

3.         the Secured Lender (as defined in the 25 February Orders) has reserved its rights in relation to its securities in respect of the scheme;

4.         interest is presently accruing on the secured debt in respect of the scheme in favour of the Secured Lender which is diminishing any equity which may be available for distribution to investors in the scheme;

5.         exercising the power of sale would minimise the ongoing operating costs in relation to the property of the scheme;

6.         investors will only become entitled to repayment of their principal investment in the scheme or to a share in the net profits of the joint venture when the property of the scheme is sold; and

7.         there is no practical means of winding up the schemes otherwise than by realisation of the property of the scheme.

It should be noted that each of these facts and matters is recorded in the Disclosure Report for each of the schemes numbered 4, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 14.

9                          Before turning to consider each scheme, I should note that I have read each submission filed by the investors.  However, although I have read and considered each submission filed by an investor in relation to a particular scheme, it is both unnecessary and inappropriate for me to determine whether that person is in fact an investor in that scheme.  Further, for the purposes of the present application, I have deferred consideration of those submissions dealing with the distribution of any proceeds from the sale of any scheme property.  Those issues will be addressed if and when any property is sold.

THE GEORGE STREET JOINT VENTURE: SCHEME 4 AND THE CIMITIERE HOUSE JOINT VENTURE: SCHEME 5

10                        These schemes are linked.  First, the registered proprietor of both the George Street property and Cimitiere House is common – Enmore Enterprises Pty Ltd (Enmore).  Secondly, although there are separate loan agreements and mortgages over each property, the security offered by each scheme is common by reason of a fixed and floating charge over the whole of the assets of Enmore in favour of Westpac.  Thirdly, the properties are adjoining and the car park used by the tenants of Cimitiere House is partly on the George Street site.  That list is by no means complete. 

11                        In addition to those matters, the Disclosure Reports record some other matters that should be noted.  First, there are insufficient funds available to service the debts.  Secondly, LGH Administration Pty Ltd (LGHA) owes an amount to each scheme and thirdly, it would appear that based on book values, a surplus is expected when the properties are realised. 

12                        Submissions were received from three investors in scheme numbered 4: Roger Smith, Marilyn Ruth Best as administrator of the Comaha Freedom Trust, and Gregory Bruce Thomas on behalf of Blind Citizens Australia (a beneficiary under the will of Serge Bankovski).  The submissions directly relevant to the present application were that the sale of the properties should proceed in an orderly fashion and not on a fire sale basis and that the properties should be sold for the highest possible price. 

13                        Submissions were received from six investors in scheme numbered 5: Gary Sykes, Marion and Ray Borycewicz, Roger Smith, Wayne and Lesley Kelly, Geoffrey and Veronica Keogh and Sally Jeanette Carlton (as trustee of the BA & SJ Carlton Superannuation Fund).  The submissions directly relevant to the present application were that the sale of the properties should proceed in an orderly fashion and not on a fire sale basis. 

14                        For the reasons set out in paragraphs [8], [10] and [11], the Receivers sought a power of sale of the property of the schemes numbered 4 and 5.  I would grant the Receivers that power.  I am satisfied that the investors’ concerns are adequately addressed by the form of orders I propose to make in relation to the power of sale.

THE LOW HEAD JOINT VENTURE: SCHEME 8

15                        The Disclosure Report identifies the property as a tourist park which is operating and two vacant blocks of land.  The whole of the property is mortgaged to Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees Limited.  As with the other schemes, insufficient cash flow is being generated to service the debt.  The Disclosure Report also records a further amount owed to St George Finance Limited (which is secured) and an unsecured debt owed by the scheme to LGHA.  In addition to these matters, the Disclosure Report records that it is possible that if the sale of the vacant land precedes the sale of the tourist park, any proceeds of sale may be sufficient to discharge most, if not all, of the secured debt. 

16                        Submissions were received from three investors in scheme numbered 8: Keith Siler as trustee for the Keason Family Trust, Roger Smith and Fiona Jean White as trustee for the Wallace White Trust.  Two of the investors agreed with the recommendation of the Receivers.  The third was again concerned to ensure that the sale of the property should proceed in an orderly fashion to achieve best returns. 

17                        For the reasons set out in paragraphs [8] and [15] above, the Receivers sought a power of sale of the property of the scheme numbered 8.  I would grant the Receivers that power.  I am satisfied that the investors’ concerns are adequately addressed by the form of orders I propose to make in relation to the power of sale.

THE NICHOLSON STREET JOINT VENTURE: SCHEME 9

18                        The Disclosure Report identifies the property as an industrial complex located in Nicholson Street, Brunswick, Melbourne.  The whole of the property is mortgaged to St George Bank Limited.  As with the other schemes, insufficient cash flow is being generated to service the debt.  The Disclosure Report records that LGHA owes an amount to the scheme and that based on book values, a surplus is expected when the property is realised. 

19                        Submissions were received from nine investors in scheme numbered 9: the Bruce Flett Family Trust, Keith Siler as trustee for the Keason Family Trust, Marion and Ray Borycewicz, Terry Bodel, Geoffrey and Veronica Keogh, Fiona Jean White as trustee for the Wallace White Trust, Jonathan Letten, Sally Jeanette Carlton of the BACS Group Trust and Sally Jeanette Carlton as trustee of the BA & SJ Carlton Superannuation Fund.  A number of investors supported the recommendations of the Receivers.  Concern was also expressed by a number of investors that the sale should proceed in an orderly fashion and not on a fire sale basis and that the Receivers should address a rezoning issue before proceeding to sell the property. 

20                        For the reasons set out in paragraphs [8] and [18] above, the Receivers sought a power of sale of the property of the scheme numbered 9.  I would grant the Receivers that power.  I am satisfied that the investors’ concerns are adequately addressed by the form of orders I propose to make in relation to the power of sale.

THE GLEN CENTRE JOINT VENTURE: SCHEME 13

21                        The Disclosure Report identifies the property as the Glen Centre, a retail complex located in Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn.  The whole of the property is mortgaged to Westpac.  As with the other schemes, insufficient cash flow is being generated to service the debt.  The Disclosure Report records that LGHA owes an amount to the scheme and that based on book values, a surplus is expected when the property is realised. 

22                        Three investor submissions were received concerning the Glen Centre Joint Venture: Marion and Ray Borycewicz, Roger Smith and Sally Jeanette Nicholson.  Concern was expressed by a number of investors that the sale should proceed in an orderly fashion in a way that will achieve the best returns. 

23                        For the reasons set out in paragraphs [8] and [21] above, the Receivers sought a power of sale of the property of the scheme numbered 13.  I would grant the Receivers that power.  I am satisfied that the investors’ concerns are adequately addressed by the form of orders I propose to make in relation to the power of sale.

THE TWINVIEW JOINT VENTURE: SCHEME 14

24                        The Disclosure Report identifies the property as a retail and commercial building in Flinders Lane, Melbourne.  The whole of the property is mortgaged to Westpac.  As with the other schemes, insufficient cash flow is being generated to service the debt.  The Disclosure Report records that LGHA owes an amount to the scheme and that based on book values, a surplus is expected when the property is realised. 

25                        Four investor submissions were received concerning scheme numbered 14: Catherine Allen, Gary Sykes, Douglas Mitchell and Daniel Kennedy.  Two investors submitted that the property should be held and sold only in the long term.  Concern was also expressed by investors that any sale should proceed in an orderly fashion and that interests of investors should be considered. 

26                        For the reasons set out in paragraphs [8] and [24] above, the Receivers sought a power of sale of the property of the scheme numbered 14.  I would grant the Receivers that power.  I am satisfied that the scheme is unable to service the debt and that the investors’ concerns are otherwise adequately addressed by the form of orders I propose to make in relation to the power of sale.

CONCLUSION AND ORDERS

27                        Subject to the matters I am about to address, I will grant the Receivers the power of sale of the property of the schemes numbered 4, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 14. 

28                        I accept that the Receivers are bound to (and intend to) realise the property of the schemes in accordance with their duties as receivers and managers including their duties under ss 420A and 180 of the Act.  However, as noted during the course of the hearing, the nature of these proceedings (including the submissions filed by the investors) and the differing types of property in the schemes raise additional considerations.  It was for those reasons that I suggested and remain of the view that it is both necessary and appropriate for the orders approving the power of sale to prescribe the process to be adopted by the Receivers in effecting the power of sale in terms of the number of real estate or other agents to be contacted, the process for appointment of the agent(s), the maximum sales commission payable to the agent(s) and the nature of the advice to be sought from them including but not limited to the real estate or other agent’s opinion about the preferred manner of sale of property, the appropriate marketing campaign for the property and the process (in general terms) to be adopted by the Receivers in selling the property.

29                        Having obtained the proposals, the Receivers should be permitted to accept the proposal that they consider to be the most appropriate in the circumstances. 

30                        Finally, the orders will provide that the proceeds of each sale are to be paid into separate accounts and without further order of the Court, the Receivers may not withdraw, distribute or otherwise deal with the proceeds (except for the payment of the agent’s reasonable fees and other reasonable expenses associated with the sale of the property).  I note for completeness that I was informed by Counsel for the Receivers and Westpac that the distribution of any proceeds of sales will be the subject of further submission next Friday, 28 May 2010. 

I certify that the preceding thirty (30) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Gordon.



Associate:


Dated:         25 May 2010


ANNEXURE A

 

 

Scheme

Description of property

Joint venture manager/s

1. 

211 Wellington Road Joint Venture

211 Wellington Road, Mulgrave, Victoria

211 Wellington Road Pty Ltd – Third Defendant

2. 

Healesville Walk Shopping Centre Joint Venture

251-263 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, Victoria

Bluemist Holdings Pty Ltd – Fourth Defendant

3. 

Howleys Road Joint Venture

40-48 Howleys Road, Notting Hill, Victoria

Dellwood Holdings Pty Ltd – Fifth Defendant

4. 

George Street Joint Venture

34 George Street, Launceston, Tasmania

Enmore Enterprises Pty Ltd – Sixth Defendant

5. 

Cimitiere House Joint Venture

113 Cimitiere Street, Launceston, Tasmania

Enmore Enterprises Pty Ltd – Sixth Defendant

6. 

Reef House Resort

99 Williams Esplanade Palm Cove, Qld – The Sebel Reef House Resort

Firbank Arch Pty Ltd – Seventh Defendant

Glenline Pty Ltd – Eighth Defendants

7. 

Queen Street Joint Venture

118 Queen Street, Melbourne, Victoria

Gerling Holdings Pty Ltd – Ninth Defendant

8. 

Low Head Joint Venture

136 Low Head Road George Town, Tasmania, 142 Low Head Road, George Town, Tasmania & 40 Gunn Parade, George Town, Tasmania

Low Head Village Pty Ltd – Twelfth Defendant

9. 

Nicholson Street Joint Venture

127-137 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick, Victoria

Nicholson Street Pty Ltd – Thirteenth Defendant

Holloway Crest Pty Ltd – Fourteenth Defendant

Rosebery Enterprises Pty Ltd – Fifteenth Defendant

10.

National Boulevard Joint Venture

144 National Boulevard, Campbellfield, Victoria

Rosebery Enterprises Pty Ltd – Fifteenth Defendant

11.

Simms Investment Project

626 Pittwater Road, Brookvale, NSW

Simms Investments Pty Ltd – Sixteenth Defendant

12.

SY21 Joint Venture

720-760 Chapel Street, South Yarra, Victoria

SY21 Retail Pty Ltd – Seventeenth Defendant

13.

The Glen Centre Joint Venture

673–681 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, Victoria

The Glen Centre Hawthorn Pty Ltd – Eighteenth Defendant Castello Holdings Pty Ltd – Nineteenth Defendant

14.

Twinview Joint Venture

167 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Victoria

Twinview Nominees – Twentieth Defendant

15.

Yarra Valley Golf Joint Venture

St John of God's Seminary and Henley Farm, Chirnside Park, Victoria

Yarra Valley Golf Pty Ltd – Twenty-First Defendant

Adina Rise Pty Ltd – Twenty-Second Defendant

Albright Investments Pty Ltd – Twenty-Third Defendant

Ashfield Rise Pty Ltd – Twenty-Fourth Defendant

Bradfield Corporation Pty Ltd – Twenty-Fifth Defendant

Copeland Enterprises Pty Ltd – Twenty-Sixth Defendant

Devlin Way Pty Ltd – Twenty-Seventh Defendant

First Hazelwood Pty Ltd – Twenty-Eighth Defendant

Glenbelle Pty Ltd – Twenty-Ninth Defendant

Glenvale Way Pty Ltd – Thirtieth Defendant

Greenview Lane Pty Ltd – Thirty-First Defendant

Hallmark Corporation Pty Ltd – Thirty-Second Defendant

Moorleigh Holdings Pty Ltd – Thirty-Third Defendant

Norton Ridge Pty Ltd – Thirty-Fourth Defendant

Raleigh Glen Pty Ltd – Thirty-Fifth Defendant

Redcrest Holdings Pty Ltd – Thirty-Sixth Defendant

Suri Corporation Pty Ltd – Thirty-Seventh Defendant

Sutton Rise Pty Ltd – Thirty-Eighth Defendant

The Virtual Mlmer Pty Ltd – Thirty-Ninth Defendant

Tivendale Pty Ltd – Fortieth Defendant

Tulloch Downes Pty Ltd – Forty-First Defendant

Mainking Pty Ltd – Forty-Second Defendant

Topglen Pty Ltd – Forty-Third Defendant

Allblue Pty Ltd – Forty-Fourth Defendant

Aranbay Pty Ltd – Forty-Fifth Defendant

16.

Glenbelle Project

Sebel Heritage Lodge Management Lot, Yarra Valley Golf Course, Chirnside Park, Victoria

Glenbelle Pty Ltd – Twenty-Ninth Defendant

Redcrest Holdings Pty Ltd – Thirty-Sixth Defendant


SCHEDULE OF PARTIES

 

LGH HOLDINGS LIMITED (ACN 007 191 943)

Second Defendant

 

211 WELLINGTON ROAD PTY LTD (ACN 092 663 860)

Third Defendant

 

BLUEMIST HOLDINGS PTY LTD (ACN 097 306 922)

Fourth Defendant

 

DELLWOOD HOLDINGS PTY LTD (ACN 098 505 803)

Fifth Defendant

 

ENMORE ENTERPRISES PTY LTD (ACN 082 158 487)

Sixth Defendant

 

FIRBANK ARCH PTY LTD (ACN 059 464 381)

Seventh Defendant

 

GLENLINE PTY LTD (ACN 098 532 364)

Eighth Defendant

 

GERLING HOLDINGS PTY LTD (ACN 091 726 457)

Ninth Defendant

 

LGH ADMINISTRATION PTY LTD (ACN 007 165 069)

Tenth Defendant

 

LGH FINANCE PTY LTD (ACN 078 859 248)

Eleventh Defendant

 

LOW HEAD VILLAGE PTY LTD (ACN 091 731 958)

Twelfth Defendant

 

NICHOLSON STREET PTY LTD (ACN 069 104 089)

Thirteenth Defendant

 

HOLLOWAY CREST PTY LTD (ACN 091 731 967)

Fourteenth Defendant

 

ROSEBERY ENTERPRISES PTY LTD (ACN 091 826 229)

Fifteenth Defendant

 

SIMMS INVESTMENTS PTY LTD (ACN 093 504 511)

Sixteenth Defendant

 

SY21 RETAIL PTY LTD (ACN 107 874 564)

Seventeenth Defendant

 

THE GLEN CENTRE HAWTHORN PTY LTD (ACN 089 906 543)

Eighteenth Defendant

 

CASTELLO HOLDINGS PTY LTD (ACN 088 204 175)

Nineteenth Defendant

 

TWINVIEW NOMINEES PTY LTD (ACN 097 307 278)

Twentieth Defendant

 

YARRA VALLEY GOLF PTY LTD (ACN 066 632 479)

Twenty-First Defendant

 

ADINA RISE PTY LTD (ACN 083 181 122)

Twenty-Second Defendant

 

ALBRIGHT INVESTMENTS PTY LTD (ACN 088 204 166)

Twenty-Third Defendant

 

ASHFIELD RISE PTY LTD (ACN 093 504 806)

Twenty-Fourth Defendant

 

BRADFIELD CORPORATION PTY LTD (ACN 088 204 371)

Twenty-Fifth Defendant

 

COPELAND ENTERPRISES PTY LTD (ACN 093 504 824)

Twenty-Sixth Defendant

 

DEVLIN WAY PTY LTD (ACN 088 264 813)

Twenty-Seventh Defendant

 

FIRST HAZELWOOD PTY LTD (ACN 093 505 303)

Twenty-Eighth Defendant

 

GLENBELLE PTY LTD (ACN 097 306 646)

Twenty-Ninth Defendant

 

GLENVALE WAY PTY LTD (ACN 088 287 021)

Thirtieth Defendant

 

GREENVIEW LANE PTY LTD (ACN 093 505 312)

Fortieth Defendant

 

HALLMARK CORPORATION PTY LTD (ACN 093 505 312)

Forty-First Defendant

 

MOORLEIGH HOLDINGS PTY LTD (ACN 088 287 058)

Forty-Second Defendant

 

NORTON RIDGE PTY LTD (ACN 078 821 066)

Forty-Third Defendant

 

RALEIGH GLEN PTY LTD (ACN 088 204 380)

Forty-Fourth Defendant

 

REDCREST HOLDINGS PTY LTD (ACN 100 836 486)

Forty-Fifth Defendant

 

SURI CORPORATION PTY LTD (ACN 093 505 321)

Forty-Sixth Defendant

 

SUTTON RISE PTY LTD (ACN 088 204 399)

Forty-Seventh Defendant

 

THE VIRTUAL MLMER PTY LTD (ACN 065 374 665)

Forty-Eighth Defendant

 

TIVENDALE PTY LTD (ACN 093 505 349)

Forty-Nineth Defendant

 

TULLOCH DOWNES PTY LTD (ACN 078 895 048)

Fiftieth Defendant

 

MAINKING PTY LTD (ACN 100 790 485)

Fifty-First Defendant

 

TOPGLEN PTY LTD (ACN 096 857 564)

Fifty-Second Defendant

 

ALLBLUE PTY LTD (ACN 100 836 388)

Fifty-Third Defendant

 

ARANBAY PTY LTD (ACN 098 532 319)

Fifty-Fourth Defendant