Environment Protection Authority v Eveston (No 3) [2022] NSWLEC 128

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Eveston (No 3) [2022] NSWLEC 128 Hearing dates: 12 October 2022 Date of orders: 28 October 2022 Decision date: 28 October 2022 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: See orders at [137]. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES: breach of licence – failure to remove waste in contravention of an environment protection licence – plea of guilty – factors to take into account in determining sentence – whether environmental harm – potential environmental harm – whether harm foreseeable – whether offender could take practical measures to reduce the harm – whether offender demonstrated contrition and remorse – comparable cases – whether a restoration order appropriate – application of totality principle - monetary penalty imposed – moiety order – publication order – costs ordered. Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A(2), 21A(3) Criminal Procedure Act 1986, ss 215(1)(a), 257B, 257G Fines Act 1996, ss 6, 122 Land and Environment Court Act 1979, s 34(3) Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, ss 3, 64(1), 78, 81, 91(5), 241(1), 245, 248, 250(1)(a), 258(2), 169(1) Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Cessnock City Council v Quintaz Pty Limited; Cessnock City Council v McCudden (2010) 172 LGERA 52; [2010] NSWLEC 3 Chief Executive Officer of Environment and Heritage v Fish (No 2) (2014) 202 LGERA 188; [2014] NSWLEC 67 Director-General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae [2009] NSWLEC 137; (2009) 168 LGERA 121 Environment Protection Authority v Albiston [2020] NSWLEC 80 Environment Protection Authority v Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd (2008) 163 LGERA 71; [2008] NSWLEC 280 Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council (2006) 148 LGERA 278; [2006] NSWLEC 289 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd (No 4) [2021] NSWLEC 45 Environment Protection Authority v Borg Panels Pty Ltd [2016] NSWLEC 71 Environment Protection Authority v Causmag Ore Company Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 58 Environment Protection Authority v Christopher Binos (unreported, Local Court of New South Wales, 11 May 2021) Environment Protection Authority v Ditchfield Contracting Pty Ltd [2018] NSWLEC 90 Environment Protection Authority v Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 64 Environment Protection Authority v Eveston (No 2) [2021] NSWLEC 150 Environment Protection Authority v Hanna [2018] NSWLEC 80 Environment Protection Authority v Imad Osman-Kerim [2017] NSWLEC 63 Environment Protection Authority v Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd [2022] NSWLEC 33 Environment Protection Authority v Orica Australia Pty Ltd (the Nitric Acid Air Lift Incident) (2014) 206 LGERA 239; [2014] NSWLEC 103 Environment Protection Authority v Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 439 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2021] NSWLEC 4 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation (2006) 148 LGERA 299; [2006] NSWLEC 419 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242; (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Hoare v The Queen (1989) 167 CLR 348; [1989] HCA 33 Johnson v The Queen (2004) 78 ALJR 616; [2004] HCA 15 Liverpool City Council v Leppington Pastoral Co Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 170 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 Mill v The Queen (1988) 166 CLR 59; [1988] HCA 70 Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610; [1998] HCA 57 Plath v Rawson (2009) 170 LGERA 253; [2009] NSWLEC 178 R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349 R v Nichols (1991) 57 A Crim R 391 R v Oliver (1980) 7 A Crim R 174 R v Rahme (1989) 43 A Crim R 81 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment v Sell & Parker Pty Ltd [2022] NSWLEC 60 Veen v The Queen (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465; [1988] HCA 14 Walden v Hensler (1987) 163 CLR 561; [1987] HCA 54 Water NSW v Barlow (2019) 244 LGERA 1; [2019] NSWLEC 30 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Christopher James Eveston (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: T Epstein (Prosecutor) J Farrell (Defendant)