Environment Protection Authority v Forestry Corporation of New South Wales [2024] NSWLEC 78

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Forestry Corporation of New South Wales [2024] NSWLEC 78 Hearing dates: 10 July 2024 Date of orders: 31 July 2024 Decision date: 31 July 2024 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: See orders at [168]. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES: breach of conditions of Integrated Forestry Operations Approval – conducting unlawful harvesting in environmentally significant areas – pleas of guilty – appropriate sentence – whether environmental harm – whether harm substantial – whether harm foreseeable – whether offender could take 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 – moiety ordered – publication order made – professional costs ordered – investigation costs refused. Legislation Cited: Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, ss 2.14, 12.8, 13.12, 13.23 and 13.25 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A, 22 and 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, ss 215, 257B, 257G Fines Act 1999, s 122 Forestry Act 2012, ss 5, 69L, 69M, 69P, 69SA and 69SB National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, ss 133, 175 and 194 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, s 120 Cases Cited: 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 Chief Environmental Regulator of the Environment Protection Authority v The Forestry Corporation of New South Wales [2017] NSWLEC 132 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Ausgrid [2013] NSWLEC 51; (2013) 199 LGERA 1 DH v R [2022] NSWCCA 200 Director-General, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water v Forestry Commission of New South Wales [2011] NSWLEC 102 Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 289; (2006) 148 LGERA 278 Environment Protection Authority v Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd (No 4) [2021] NSWLEC 45 Environment Protection Authority v Ditchfield Contracting Pty Ltd [2018] NSWLEC 90 Environment Protection Authority v Forestry Commission of New South Wales [2004] NSWLEC 751 Environment Protection Authority v Forestry Commission of New South Wales [2013] NSWLEC 101 Environment Protection Authority v Forestry Commission of New South Wales [2022] NSWLEC 75 Environment Protection Authority v Forestry Corporation of NSW [2022] NSWLEC 75 Environment Protection Authority v Forestry Corporation of NSW [2022] NSWLEC 70 Environment Protection Authority v Forestry Corporation of NSW (Mogo State Forest prosecution) (Local Court (NSW), Dick LCM, 15 November 2023, unrep) Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2019] NSWLEC 100 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419; (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Hoare v The Queen [1989] HCA 33; (1989) 167 CLR 348 Liverpool City Council v Leppington Pastoral Co Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 170 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Muldrock v The Queen [2011] HCA 39; (2011) 244 CLR 120 Natural Resources Access Regulator v Lidokew Pty Ltd [2024] NSWLEC 59 R v Abboud [2005] NSWCCA 251 R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349 R v McNaughton [2006] NSWCCA 242; (2006) 66 NSWLR 566 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 Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment v Khouzame [2024] NSWLEC 54 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 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Forestry Corporation of New South Wales (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: G Wright SC with Z Shahnawaz (Prosecutor) I Hemmings SC with R Coffey (Defendant)