Environment Protection Authority v Routledge [2024] NSWLEC 8

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Routledge [2024] NSWLEC 8 Hearing dates: 1 December 2023 Date of orders: 13 February 2024 Decision date: 13 February 2024 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Duggan J Decision: See paragraphs 59 to 61 Catchwords: CRIME – Environmental Offences – Offences under ss 120(1) and 142A(1) of the Protection of the Environmental Operations Act 1997 (NSW) – prohibition of pollution of water and land – diesel spill – applicable sentencing principles under Crimes (Sentencing and Procedure Act 1999 (NSW) – objective seriousness of offence – offence aggravated by nature and seriousness of the harm to the environment – strict liability – conduct unintentional – subjective circumstances of offender – remorse – early guilty plea – consistency in sentencing – limited capacity to pay fine – s 6 of Fines Act 1996 (NSW) – appropriate sentence – discount in fine for each offence 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 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd (2006) 145 LGERA 234 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 [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 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2019] NSWLEC 100 Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Christopher Geoffrey Routledge (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: G Westgarth (Prosecutor) C G Routledge, self-represented (Defendant)