Environment Protection Authority v Sphere Healthcare Pty Ltd [2022] NSWLEC 92

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Sphere Healthcare Pty Ltd [2022] NSWLEC 92 Hearing dates: 30 and 31 May 2022 Date of orders: 29 July 2022 Decision date: 29 July 2022 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Duggan J Decision: See paragraph 81 Catchwords: SENTENCING – environment offence – s 120(1) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) – polluted waters – significant harm – practical measures available but not taken – harm or risk of harm foreseeable – no financial benefit gained – upper middle range of objective seriousness – contrition and remorse demonstrated – co-operation with regulatory authority – early plea of guilty – no prior convictions – specific deterrence not warranted – general deterrence warranted – fine not reduced due to capacity to pay pursuant to s 6 of Fines Act 1996 (NSW) – monetary penalty imposed – publication order – investigation costs – legal costs Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) Environmental Trust Act 1998 (NSW) Fines Act 1996 (NSW) Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bankstown City Council v Hanna (2014) 205 LGERA 39 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (2017) 228 LGERA 55 Environment Protection Authority v Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd (2008) 163 LGERA 71 Environment Protection Authority v Cleanaway Equipment Services Pty Ltd [2022] NSWLEC 40 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2019] NSWLEC 100 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2021] NSWLEC 17 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Williams v R [2012] NSWCCA 172 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Sphere Healthcare Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: D Buchanan SC and J Caldwell (Prosecutor) C Magee (Defendant)