Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Turnbull [2023] NSWLEC 137

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Turnbull [2023] NSWLEC 137 Hearing dates: 19 and 20 June 2023 Date of orders: 08 December 2023 Decision date: 08 December 2023 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Duggan J Decision: See paragraph 93 Catchwords: SENTENCING – environmental offence – s 12 of the Native Vegetative Act 2003 (NSW) – clearing native vegetation – significant actual and likely harm caused to the environment – reasonable foreseeability of harm – whether offence carried out as planned criminal activity and for financial gain – high mid-range of objective seriousness – no real contrition or remorse – prior convictions – whether defendant suffered extra-curial punishment – specific deterrence not warranted – fine not reduced due to capacity to pay pursuant to s 6 of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW) – monetary penalty imposed – legal costs Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing and Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) Fines Act 1996 (NSW) National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW) Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NSW) Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (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 Carl v R [2023] NSWCCA 190 Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Cory Ian Turnbull (2017) 227 LGERA 290 Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet v Turnbull [2014] NSWLEC 150 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Leda Management Services Pty Ltd [2013] NSWLEC 111 Director-General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae (2009) 168 LGERA 121 Environment Protection Authority v Albiston [2020] NSWLEC 80 Environment Protection Authority v Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd (2008) 163 LGERA 71 Environment Protection Authority v Hughes [2019] NSWLEC 108 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2019] NSWLEC 100 Garrett v Williams (2006) 160 LGERA 115 Garrett v Williams [2007] NSWLEC 56 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Hewitt v R (2007) 180 A Crim R 306 Jehad Jodeh v R [2011] NSWCCA 194 Markarian v R (2005) 228 CLR 357 Merrick v R [2017] NSWCCA 264 NCR Australia v Credit Connection [2005] NSWSC 1118 R v De Simoni (1981) 147 CLR 383 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 R v Yildiz (2006) 160 A Crim R 218 Turnbull v Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage [2018] NSWCCA 229 Xiao v R (2018) 96 NSWLR 1 Category: Sentence Parties: Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage (Prosecutor) Grant Wesley Turnbull (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: T Howard SC and M McAuliffe (Prosecutor) D Brezniak (Defendant)