Natural Resources Access Regulator v Bao Lin Pty Ltd [2022] NSWLEC 42

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Natural Resources Access Regulator v Bao Lin Pty Ltd [2022] NSWLEC 42 Hearing dates: 28 – 30 June 2021 Date of orders: 13 April 2022 Decision date: 13 April 2022 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Robson J Decision: See orders at [253] Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES – Sentence – Carrying out controlled activities on waterfront land without approval – Harm to waterfront land – Determination of objective seriousness – Extent of environmental harm – Moderate range of objective seriousness – Determination of subjective seriousness – Pleas of guilty – Restoration and prevention order – Determination of appropriate penalties Legislation Cited: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), Pt 3, Div 1, ss 3A, 21A Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), ss 257B, 257G Fines Act 1996 (NSW), s 122(2) Marine Estate Management (Management Rules) Regulation 1999 (NSW), cll 6.1, 6.3 Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 (NSW), s 6(2) Water Management Act 2000 (NSW), ss 3, 91E, 345, 353B, 353G, 364A Water Management (General) Regulation 2018 (NSW), cl 3, Schs 2, 4 Cases Cited: Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Budvalt Pty Ltd v Grant Barnes, Chief Regulatory Officer, Natural Resources Access Regulator [2022] NSWCCA 9 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 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Brummell [2019] NSWLEC 114 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Clarence Valley Council [2018] NSWLEC 205 El Jamal v The Queen [2021] NSWCCA 105 Elias v The Queen (2013) 248 CLR 483; [2013] HCA 31 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419; (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Environment Protection Authority v Wollondilly Abattoirs Pty Limited & Davis [2019] NSWCCA 312 Harris v Harrison (2014) 86 NSWLR 422; [2014] NSWCCA 84 Harrison v Perdikaris [2015] NSWLEC 99 Plath v Rawson [2009] NSWLEC 178; (2009) 170 LGERA 253 R v De Simoni (1981) 147 CLR 383; [1981] HCA 31 R v Kilic (2016) 259 CLR 256; [2016] HCA 48 R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270; [1999] HCA 54 Silva v Ku-ring-gai Council [2009] NSWLEC 1060 Water NSW v Barlow [2019] NSWLEC 30 Category: Sentence Parties: Natural Resources Access Regulator (Prosecutor) Bao Lin Pty Ltd (ACN 162 411 681) (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: R White (Prosecutor) B Walker AO SC with P English (Defendant)