Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2024] NSWLEC 130

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2024] NSWLEC 130 Hearing dates: 21, 24, 25 October 2024 Date of orders: 29 November 2024 Decision date: 29 November 2024 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pain J Decision: See below in [136]. Catchwords: CRIMINAL – sentencing for offence of failure to maintain equipment in proper and efficient manner – plea of guilty – discharge of untreated sewage into stormwater drain from pipe – minimal environmental harm established – prior convictions aggravating – mitigating factors – payment to Environmental Trust ordered – publication order made Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 3A, 21A, 22, 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), s 257B Fines Act 1996 (NSW), s 6 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW), ss 3, 64, 241, 244, 250, Sch 6 Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority [2022] NSWCCA 43 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd (2006) 145 LGERA 234; [2006] NSWLEC 34 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Kyluk Pty Ltd (No 4) (2014) 212 LGERA 1; [2014] NSWLEC 74 Director-General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae (2009) 168 LGERA 121; [2009] NSWLEC 137 Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Walker Corporation Pty Ltd (No 4) [2011] NSWLEC 119 Environment Protection Authority v Ecolab Pty Ltd (2002) 123 LGERA 269; [2002] NSWLEC 206 Environment Protection Authority v Hawkesbury City Council [2017] NSWLEC 39 Environment Protection Authority v John Michelin & Son Pty Ltd [2019] NSWLEC 88 Environment Protection Authority v Port Kembla Copper Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 256 Environment Protection Authority v Queanbeyan City Council (No 3) (2012) 192 LGERA 415; [2012] NSWLEC 220 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2023] NSWLEC 68 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation (No 2) [2023] NSWLEC 2 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2021] NSWLEC 17 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2019] NSWLEC 100 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2015] NSWLEC 80 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation (2006) 148 LGERA 299; [2006] NSWLEC 419 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2006) 145 LGERA 189; [2006] NSWLEC 242 Hili v R; Jones v R (2010) 242 CLR 520; [2010] HCA 45 Hoare v R (1989) 167 CLR 348; [1989] HCA 33 Markarian v R (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 Muldrock v R (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 Newcastle City Council v Pace Farm Egg Products Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 66 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 R v Araya (2005) 155 A Crim R 555; [2005] NSWCCA 283 R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270; [1999] HCA 54 R v Ruha (2010) 198 A Crim R 430; [2010] QCA 10 R v Rushby [1977] 1 NSWLR 594 R v Storey [1998] 1 VR 359 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Veen v R (1979) 143 CLR 458; [1979] HCA 7 Veen v R (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465; [1988] HCA 14 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Sydney Water Corporation (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: H El-Hage SC with G Marsden (Prosecutor) I Hemmings SC with J Caldwell (Defendant)