Environment Protection Authority v Visy Pulp and Paper Pty Ltd [2024] NSWLEC 55

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Visy Pulp and Paper Pty Ltd [2024] NSWLEC 55 Hearing dates: 8 and 13 (further written submissions) May 2024 Date of orders: 27 May 2024 Decision date: 27 May 2024 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: See orders at [141]. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES: pollution of waters – breach of licence – failure to obtain approval for discharge of wastewater in contravention of an environmental protection licence – failure to monitor volume of liquids discharged into water in contravention of an environmental protection licence – pleas of guilty – factors to take into account in determining sentence – whether there was environmental harm – actual environmental harm – whether harm foreseeable – whether offender could have taken practical measures to reduce harm – whether offender had control over commission of offences – whether offender demonstrated contrition and remorse – whether offender is of good character and unlikely to reoffend – comparable cases – application of totality principle – monetary penalty imposed – financial penalty payable to environmental trust – publication order – costs ordered. Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A, 22, 23, 241 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, s 257B Environmental Trust Act 1998 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, ss 3, 64, 91, 120, 191, 200, 241, 248, 250 Cases Cited: ACE Demolition & Excavation Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority [2024] NSWCCA 4 Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (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] NSWLEC 280; (2008) 163 LGERA 71 Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 289; (2006) 148 LGERA 278 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 Causmag Ore Company Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 58 Environment Protection Authority v Centennial Newstan Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 211 Environment Protection Authority v Charlotte Pass Snow Resort Pty Ltd (No 3) [2022] NSWLEC 136 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 Hawkesbury City Council [2017] NSWLEC 39 Environment Protection Authority v Orica Australia Pty Ltd (the Nitric Air Lift Incident) [2014] NSWLEC 103; (2014) 206 LGERA 239 Environment Protection Authority v P&M Quality Small Goods Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v JBS Australia Pty Limited [2017] NSWLEC 89 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2019] NSWLEC 100 Environment Protection Authority v Wambo Coal Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 152 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419; (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242; (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Hoare v The Queen [1989] HCA 33; (1989) 167 CLR 348 Johnson v The Queen [2004] HCA 15; (2004) 78 ALJR 616 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Mill v The Queen [1988] HCA 70; (1988) 166 CLR 59 Pearce v The Queen [1998] HCA 57; (1998) 194 CLR 610 Plath v Rawson [2009] NSWLEC 178; (2009) 170 LGERA 253 R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349 R v Nichols (1991) 57 A Crim R 391 R v Olbrich [1999] HCA 54; (1999) 199 CLR 270 R v Oliver (1980) 7 A Crim R 174 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Veen v The Queen (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 Walden v Hensler [1987] HCA 54; (1987) 163 CLR 561 Water NSW v Barlow [2019] NSWLEC 30; (2019) 244 LGERA 1 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Visy Pulp and Paper Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: A McGrath (Prosecutor) T Howard SC (Defendant)