SafeWork NSW v Denbrok Constructions Pty Limited [2023] NSWDC 407

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: SafeWork NSW v Denbrok Constructions Pty Limited [2023] NSWDC 407 Hearing dates: 27 September 2023 Date of orders: 4 October 2023 Decision date: 04 October 2023 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Strathdee DCJ Decision: (1) The defendant is convicted. (2) The appropriate fine for the offence is $400,000.00, and that will be reduced by 25% to reflect the plea of guilty, leaving a fine of $300,000.00. (3) In exercising my discretion under s 6 of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW), that fine will be reduced by 50%. (4) Accordingly, I order the defendant to pay a fine of $150,000.00. (5) Pursuant to s 122(2) of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW), 50% of the fine imposed is to be paid to the prosecutor. (6) Pursuant to s 257B of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), the defendant is to pay the prosecutor's costs, as agreed in the sum of $26,000.00. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – prosecution – work health and safety – duty of persons undertaking business – risk of death or serious injury – maximum penalty SENTENCE – objective seriousness – mitigating factors – aggravating factors – plea of guilty – appropriate discount for the utility of the plea – general deterrence – specific deterrence – remorse and contrition – maximum penalties COSTS – prosecutor's costs – capacity to pay Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) Fines Act 1996 (NSW) Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) Cases Cited: Bulga Underground Operations Pty Ltd v Nash (2016) NSWLR 338 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Ferguson v Nelmac Pty Ltd (1999) 92 IR 188 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 82 IR 384 Haynes v CI & D Manufacturing (No 2), Callaghan v CI & D Industries Pty Limited (No 2) (1995) 60 IR 455 Inspector Beacham v J & L Marble Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm 100 Inspector Fraser v Karabelas (No 2) [2011] NSWIRComm 153 Jahandideh v R [2014] NSWCCA 178 Kirk v Industrial Commission of New South Wales [2010] HCA 1 Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (1999) 90 IR 464 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357 McColl v John Watson Building Services Pty Ltd (2004) 137 IR 310 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120 Nash v Silver City Drilling (NSW) Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCCA 96 Orbit Drilling v The Queen (2012) 35 VR 399 R v Cage [2006] NSWCCA 304 R v MA [2004] NSWCCA 92 R v Miria [2009] NSWCCA 68 R v MMK [2006] NSWCCA 272 R v Thomson & Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Youkhana [2004] NSWCCA 412 Rahme v R (1989) 43 A Crim R 81 SafeWork NSW v Cosentino Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) [2018] NSWDC 182 SafeWork NSW v Grandcity Constructions Pty Ltd [2018] NSWDC 398 SafeWork NSW v Harris Holdings NSW Pty Ltd [2017] NSWDC 299 SafeWork NSW v Harry Zizikas [2017] NSWDC 299 SafeWork NSW v HCM Building Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 632 Unity Pty Limited v SafeWork NSW [2018] NSWCCA 266 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Profab Industries Pty Ltd (2000) 49 NSWLR 700 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Sarjame Storage Pty Ltd [2015] NSWDC 151 Texts Cited: Nil Category: Sentence Parties: SafeWork NSW (Prosecutor) Denbrok Constructions Pty Limited Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr A Mykkeltvedt (for the Prosecutor) Mr C Magee (for the Defendant)