Environment Protection Authority v Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd [2022] NSWLEC 33

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd [2022] NSWLEC 33 Hearing dates: 22 February 2022 Date of orders: 31 March 2022 Decision date: 31 March 2022 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: See orders at [243]. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCE – pollution of waters – discharge of sediment laden water into a creek – discharge of expanded polystyrene beads into a creek – plea of guilty – sentencing principles – determination of the objective seriousness of the offence – extent of harm – whether extreme rainfall events reasonably foreseeable – consideration of the subjective circumstances of the defendant – one prior conviction – discount for early guilty plea – assistance to authorities – examination of comparable cases – monetary penalty – publication order – costs order made. Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A(2), 21A(3), 22, 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, ss 257B, 257G Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, s 75J Fines Act 1996, s 22A(2) Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, ss 64, 91, 120(1), 191, 241, 248, 250(1) Water Management Act 2000, s 60A(2) Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Barnes v O'Haire [2020] NSWLEC 158 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Cabonne Shire Council v Environment Protection Authority [2001] NSWCCA 280; (2001) 115 LGERA 304 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Chief Executive, Office of Environment & Heritage v Orica Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Orica Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 109 City of Parramatta Council v Sydney Trees Excavation and Demolition Pty Ltd [2021] NSWLEC 71 Director-General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae [2009] NSWLEC 137; (2009) 168 LGERA 121 Elias v The Queen [2013] HCA 31; (2013) 248 CLR 483 Environment Protection Authority v Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 280; (2008) 163 LGERA 71 Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 289; (2006) 148 LGERA 278 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v Big Island Mining Pty Ltd [2014] NSWLEC 131 Environment Protection Authority v Causmag Ore Company Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 58 Environment Protection Authority v Centennial Newstan Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 211 Environment Protection Authority v Ditchfield Contracting Pty Ltd [2018] NSWLEC 90 Environment Protection Authority v Fulton Hogan Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 268; (2008) 163 LGERA 354 Environment Protection Authority v John Michelin & Son Pty Ltd [2019] NSWLEC 88 Environment Protection Authority v M A Roche Group Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Roche [2013] NSWLEC 191 Environment Protection Authority v Moolarben Operations Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 65 Environment Protection Authority v Ravensworth Operations Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 222 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2021] NSWLEC 17 Environment Protection Authority v Wambo Coal Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 152 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419; (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242; (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Hoare v The Queen [1989] HCA 33; (1989) 167 CLR 348 Johnson v The Queen [2004] HCA 15; (2004) 78 ALJR 616 Liverpool City Council v Leppington Pastoral Co Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 170 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Mill v The Queen [1988] HCA 70; (1988) 166 CLR 59 Muldrock v The Queen [2011] HCA 39; (2011) 244 CLR 120 Natural Resources Access Regulator v Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd [2021] NSWLEC 135 Pearce v The Queen [1998] HCA 57; (1998) 194 CLR 610 Plath v Rawson [2009] NSWLEC 178; (2009) 170 LGERA 253 R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349 R v Harris [2007] NSWCCA 130; (2007) 171 A Crim R 267 R v MAK; R v MSK [2006] NSWCCA 381; (2006) 167 A Crim R 159 R v Nichols (1991) 57 A Crim R 391 R v Oliver (1980) 7 A Crim R 174 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 R v Wheeler [2000] NSWCCA 34 Veen v The Queen [1979] HCA 7; (1979) 143 CLR 458 Veen v The Queen (No 2) [1988] HCA 1; (1988) 164 CLR 465 Walden v Hensler [1987] HCA 54; (1987) 163 CLR 561 Water NSW v Barlow [2019] NSWLEC 30; (2019) 244 LGERA 1 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: E Muston SC with B Anniwell (Prosecutor) T Howard SC (Defendant)