Environment Protection Authority v Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd (No 3) [2024] NSWLEC 97

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd (No 3) [2024] NSWLEC 97 Hearing dates: 30 January–3 February, 6–10 February; 18–21 September; 13–16 November 2023 Date of orders: 31 October 2024 Decision date: 04 October 2024 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pritchard J Decision: The timing charge In proceedings 2021/234554, the Court makes the following orders: (1) Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd ACN 140 533 875 is guilty of an offence against section 64(1) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW). (2) The proceedings are listed before the list judge to obtain a date for the sentence hearing and to make appropriate directions in preparation for the sentence hearing. The stemming length charge In proceedings 2021/234556, the Court makes the following orders: (1) Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd ACN 140 533 875 is guilty of an offence against section 64(1) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW). (2) The proceedings are listed before the list judge to obtain a date for the sentence hearing and to make appropriate directions in preparation for the sentence hearing. The overloading charge In proceedings 2021/234557, the Court makes the following orders: (1) Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd ACN 140 533 875 is guilty of an offence against section 64(1) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW). (2) The proceedings are listed before the list judge to obtain a date for the sentence hearing and to make appropriate directions in preparation for the sentence hearing. The emission of noise charge In proceeding 2021/234558, the Court makes the following orders: (1) Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd ACN 140 533 875 is guilty of an offence against section 140(1) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW). (2) The proceedings are listed before the list judge to obtain a date for the sentence hearing and to make appropriate directions in preparation for the sentence hearing. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING — Offences — failure to comply with condition of environment protection licence — defendant charged under s 64(1) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) — condition to carry out licensed activities in a competent manner — meaning of "competent manner" — construction of condition of environment protection licence — meaning of "licensed activity" ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING — Offences — defendant charged under s 140(1) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) — emission of noise — meaning of "proper and efficient manner" Legislation Cited: Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) s 5AE, 5F Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (NSW) s 75J, Pt 3A (repealed) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) ss 38, 136 Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW) s 3 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) ss 55, 64, 120, 122, 140, Sch 1, Dictionary Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) ss 18, 19, 34A Cases Cited: 4nature Incorporated v Centennial Springvale Pty Ltd (2017) 95 NSWLR 361; (2017) 224 LGERA 301; [2017] NSWCA 191 Bartter Enterprises Ply Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (2022) 252 LGERA 277; [2022] NSWCCA 43 Browne v Dunn (1894) 6 R 67 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Orica Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Orica Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 109 Commissioner of Police v Thayli Pty Ltd [2020] WASC 43 Environment Protection Authority v Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd (No 3) [2020] NSWLEC 114 Environment Protection Authority v Buchanan (No 2) (2009) 165 LGERA 383; [2009] NSWLEC 31 Environment Protection Authority v Collex Pty Ltd (2001) 115 LGERA 337; [2001] NSWLEC 177 Environment Protection Authority v Grafil Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Mackenzie (2019) 101 NSWLR 245; (2019) 238 LGERA 147; [2019] NSWCCA 174 Environment Protection Authority v Huntsman Corporation Australia Pty Ltd [2011] NSWLEC 39 Environment Protection Authority v Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd [2023] NSWLEC 94 Environment Protection Authority v O'Brien [2023] NSWLEC 118 Environment Protection Authority v Rethmann Australia Environmental Services Pty Ltd (2003) 131 LGERA 422; [2003] NSWLEC 351 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2020] NSWLEC 153 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water [2022] NSWLEC 100 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2019] NSWLEC 100 Environment Protection Authority v Truegain Pty Ltd (2013) 85 NSWLR 125; [2013] NSWCCA 204 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118; [2003] HCA 22 Genkem Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1994) 35 NSWLR 33; (1994) 85 LGERA 197 Hill v O'Brien (1938) 61 CLR 96; [1938] HCA 48 House of Peace Pty Ltd v Bankstown City Council (2000) 48 NSWLR 498; (2000) 106 LGERA 440; [2000] NSWCA 44 Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (2023) 112 NSWLR 507; (2023) 258 LGERA 168; [2023] NSWCCA 275 McCallum v Sandercock (2011) 183 LGERA 399; [2011] NSWLEC 175 Nydam v The Queen [1977] VR 430 Perpetual Executors and Trustees Association of Australia Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1948) 77 CLR 1; [1948] HCA 24 Plath of Department of Environment and Climate Change v Fish; Plath of Department of Environment and Climate Change v Orogen Pty Ltd (2010) 179 LGERA 386; [2010] NSWLEC 144 Polgara Pty Ltd v Vision Wise Holdings Pty Ltd (1996) NSW ConvR 55-781; [1996] ANZ ConvR 471 Prefabricated Buildings Pty Ltd v Bathurst Regional Council [2017] NSWLEC 44 R v Filiopovic; R v Gelevski (2008) 181 A Crim R 83 R v Toohey; Ex parte Meneling Station Pty Ltd (1982) 158 CLR 327; [1982] HCA 69 Sandalwood Properties Ltd v Huntley Management Ltd (2018) 131 ACSR 215; [2018] FCA 1502 Verde Terra Pty Ltd v Central Coast Council; Central Coast Council v Environment Protection Authority (No 9) [2022] NSWLEC 29 Westfield Management Limited v Perpetual Trustee Company [2006] NSWCA 245 Weston Aluminium Pty Limited v Environment Protection Authority [2021] NSWLEC 131 Weston Aluminium Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority and Another (No 2) (2005) 144 LGERA 7; [2005] NSWLEC 698 Texts Cited: Bronitt and McSherry, Principles of Criminal Law (4th ed, 2017, Thomson Reuters) Herzfeld and Prince, Interpretation (2nd ed, 2020, Thomson Reuters (Professional) Australia Limited) Macquarie Dictionary (2019, Pan Macmillan Australian Pty Ltd) Macquarie Dictionary, online ed Stiehr, ISEE Blasters' Handbook (18th ed, 2011, International Society of Explosives Engineers) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: C Leggat SC, A Garsia and G Marsden (Prosecutor) T Howard SC and J Lee (Defendant)