Secretary, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment v Ronald Lewis Greentree and Auen Grain Pty Ltd [2024] NSWLEC 131

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Secretary, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment v Ronald Lewis Greentree and Auen Grain Pty Ltd [2024] NSWLEC 131 Hearing dates: 7 February 2024 Date of orders: 29 November 2024 Decision date: 29 November 2024 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Robson J Decision: See orders at [194] Catchwords: SENTENCING — Environmental offences — Offences under s 12 of the Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NSW) — Offences under s 60N of the Local Land Services Act 2013 (NSW) — Clearing of native vegetation without consent — Substantial harm caused — Foreseeable risk of environmental harm — Practical measures to prevent risk of harm — Full control over the cause of offences — Offences committed for financial gain — State of mind in committing offences — Objective seriousness near the mid to high range of seriousness — Subjective circumstances of the defendants — Previous good character — No remorse demonstrated — Defendants pleaded not guilty — Need for both specific and general deterrence — Determination of appropriate penalties — Fines imposed with moiety to prosecutor — Orders as to costs Legislation Cited: Biodiversity Conversation Act 2016 (NSW), s 13.12 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), Pt 3, Div 1, ss 3A, 17, 21A Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), s 257B Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), s 126 Fines Act 1996 (NSW), ss 6, 122 Local Land Services Act 2013 (NSW), ss 3, 60N Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NSW), ss 3, 12 Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 (NSW), s 6 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW) Cases Cited: ACE Demolition & Excavation Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (2024) 260 LGERA 358; [2024] NSWCCA 4 Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Grant Wesley Turnbull [2017] NSWLEC 141 Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Kurstjens; Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Topview Brisbane Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 54 Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Turnbull [2023] NSWLEC 137 Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet v Turnbull [2014] NSWLEC 150 Chief Executive, Office of Environment & Heritage v Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Anthony Guy Murphy [2019] NSWLEC 120 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Boyle [2019] NSWLEC 54 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Brummell (2019) 242 LGERA 241; [2019] NSWLEC 114 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Clarence Valley Council (2018) 236 LGERA 291; [2018] NSWLEC 205 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Kennedy [2012] NSWLEC 159 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Leda Management Services Pty Ltd [2013] NSWLEC 111 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Parrish & Son Pty Ltd [2020] NSWLEC 47 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Rummery (2012) 192 LGERA 314; [2012] NSWLEC 271 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Traikaero Pty Ltd; Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Woods [2019] NSWLEC 90 Director-General Department of Land and Water Conservation v Greentree [2004] NSWLEC 584 Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Hudson (2009) 165 LGERA 256; [2009] NSWLEC 4 Director-General, 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 Limited (No 4) [2011] NSWLEC 119 Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Hudson (No 2) [2015] NSWLEC 110 Director-General, Department of Land and Water Conservation v Ronald Lewis Greentree [1998] NSWLEC 30 Elias v The Queen; Issa v The Queen (2013) 248 CLR 483; [2013] HCA 31 Environment Protection Authority v Alcobell Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 123 Environment Protection Authority v Ditchfield Contracting Pty Ltd [2018] NSWLEC 90 Environment Protection Authority v Ghossayn Group Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Ghossayn [2023] NSWLEC 127 Environment Protection Authority v Mouawad (also known as Isaac) (No 4) [2023] NSWLEC 76 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation (2006) 148 LGERA 299; [2006] NSWLEC 419 Environment Protection Authority v Wollondilly Abattoirs Pty Limited & Davis [2019] NSWCCA 312 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2006) 145 LGERA 189; [2006] NSWLEC 242 GL v R [2022] NSWCCA 202; (2022) 302 A Crim R 188 Greentree v Minister for the Environment and Heritage (2005) 144 FCR 388; [2005] FCAFC 128 Leichhardt Council v Geitonia Pty Ltd (No 7) [2015] NSWLEC 79 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 Minister for the Environment & Heritage v Greentree (No 2) (2004) 138 FCR 198; [2004] FCA 741 Minister for the Environment & Heritage v Greentree (No 3) (2004) 136 LGERA 89; [2004] FCA 1317 Natural Resources Access Regulator v Bao Lin Pty Ltd [2022] NSWLEC 42 Office of Environment and Heritage v Swansbel (Pastoral) Pty Ltd [2019] NSWLEC 69 Plath v Rawson (2009) 170 LGERA 253; [2009] NSWLEC 178 R v DP [2019] NSWCCA 55 R v Kilic (2016) 259 CLR 256; [2016] HCA 48 R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270; [1999] HCA 54 R v Youkhana [2004] NSWCCA 412 Safework v Auen Grain Pty Limited & Merrywinebone Pty Limited [2015] NSWDC 229 Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment v Khouzame [2024] NSWLEC 54 Secretary, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment v Auen Grain Pty Ltd; Greentree; Merrywinebone Pty Ltd; Harris (No 7) [2022] NSWLEC 153 Stephen Garrett v Dennis Charles Williams (2006) 160 LGERA 11; [2006] NSWLEC 785 Turnbull v Chief Executive of the Office of Environment & Heritage [2018] NSWCCA 229 Category: Sentence Parties: Secretary, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (Prosecutor) Ronald Lewis Greentree and Auen Grain Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: S Callan SC (Prosecutor) D Jordan SC (Defendant)