Environment Protection Authority v Carbon MF Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Fair [2023] NSWLEC 120

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Carbon MF Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Fair [2023] NSWLEC 120 Hearing dates: 13 September 2023 Date of orders: 09 November 2023 Decision date: 09 November 2023 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Duggan J Decision: See paragraphs 92 to 94 Catchwords: SENTENCING – ss 91B, 142A(1), 169(1) and 169A of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) – pollution of land – unlawful storage of waste tyres – failure to comply with clean-up notice – executive liability – no evidence of actual harm – potential harm foreseeable – middle range objective seriousness – contrition and remorse not demonstrated – assistance with regulatory authority – early plea of guilty – general deterrence warranted – specific deterrence not warranted – fine reduced due to capacity to pay pursuant to s 6 of Fines Act 1996 (NSW) – monetary penalty and publication order made – order for a moiety Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing and Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (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 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Environment Protection Authority v Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd (2008) 163 LGERA 71 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2019] NSWLEC 100 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2020] NSWLEC 153 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2021] NSWLEC 4 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357 Plath v Rawson (2009) 170 LGERA 253 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Category: Sentence Parties: In proceedings 2023/00094706 and 2023/00094707 Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Carbon MF Pty Ltd (Defendant)