Environment Protection Authority v Charlotte Pass Snow Resort Pty Ltd (No 3) [2022] NSWLEC 136

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Charlotte Pass Snow Resort Pty Ltd (No 3) [2022] NSWLEC 136 Hearing dates: 7, 8 and 9 November 2022 Date of orders: 21 November 2022 Decision date: 21 November 2022 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: See orders at [207]. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES: pollution of waters – breach of licence – discharge of partially treated effluent into a creek – failure to maintain equipment in proper and efficient condition – pleas of guilty – factors taken into account in determining sentence – whether actual or potential environmental harm caused – whether harm substantive – whether harm foreseeable – whether offender could have taken practical measures to reduce the harm – whether offender demonstrated contrition and remorse – whether utilitarian value of the pleas of guilty eroded by the conduct of the offender during the sentence hearing – comparable cases – application of totality principle – monetary penalty imposed – moiety ordered – publication order made – costs ordered. Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A(2), 21A(3), 22, 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, ss 257B, 257G Fines Act 1996, ss 6, 122 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, ss 3, 21A(2)(g), 55, 64(1), 120(1), 123(1), 241(1), 248, 250(1)(a) Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd (2006) 145 LGERA 234; [2006] NSWLEC 34 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Director-General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae (2009) 168 LGERA 121; [2009] NSWLEC 137 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 Centennial Newstan Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 211 Environment Protection Authority v Crown in the Right of New South Wales [2019] NSWLEC 66 Environment Protection Authority v Crown in the Right of New South Wales [2019] NSWLEC 178 Environment Protection Authority v Ditchfield Contracting Pty Ltd [2018] NSWLEC 90 Environment Protection Authority v Eveston (No 3) [2022] NSWLEC 128 Environment Protection Authority v Forbes Shire Council [2014] NSWLEC 26 Environment Protection Authority v Hawkesbury City Council [2017] NSWLEC 39 Environment Protection Authority v Hunter Water Corporation [2016] NSWLEC 76 Environment Protection Authority v John Michelin & Son Pty Ltd [2019] NSWLEC 88 Environment Protection Authority v Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd [2022] NSWLEC 33 Environment Protection Authority v Morgan Cement International Pty Ltd [2016] NSWLEC 140 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 Queanbeyan (2012) 192 LGERA 412; [2012] NSWLEC 220 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2015] NSWLEC 80 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2021] NSWLEC 17 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) 145 LGERA 189 [2006]; NSWLEC 242 Harris v Harrison (2014) 86 NSWLR 422; [2014] NSWCCA 84 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 Martin v R; R v Martin [2021] NSWCCA 316 Mill v The Queen (1988) 166 CLR 59; [1988] HCA 70 Owens v R [2017] NSWCCA 16 Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610; [1998] HCA 57 R v AB (2011) 59 MVR 356; [2011] NSWCCA 229 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 Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Secretary, Department of Planning and the 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) Charlotte Pass Snow Resort Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: A Rose (Prosecutor) C Ireland (Defendant)