Environment Protection Authority v Jackson; Environment Protection Authority v LeMessurier [2024] NSWLEC 137

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Jackson; Environment Protection Authority v LeMessurier [2024] NSWLEC 137 Hearing dates: 4 December 2024 Date of orders: 13 December 2024 Decision date: 13 December 2024 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: See orders at [215]. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES: directors of a company which caused a place to be used as a hazardous waste facility without lawful authority – executive liability – pleas of guilty – factors to take into account in determining sentence – whether offenders committed offences intentionally or recklessly – whether environmental harm – potential environmental harm – whether harm foreseeable –practical measures to reduce harm – control over commission of offences – contrition and remorse –good character and likelihood of reoffending – whether offences committed for financial gain – whether offences committed without regard for public safety – capacity to pay fine – comparable cases – monetary penalty imposed – moiety ordered – publication orders made – costs ordered. Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A, 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, s 257B Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic), s 27(2) Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Div 9.3 Fines Act 1996, ss 6, 122 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, ss 3, 143, 144, 169, 241, 245, 246, 248, 250, cll 42, 49 of Sch 1 Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 (Cth), s 87 Cases Cited: ACE Demolition & Excavation Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority [2024] NSWCCA 4; (2024) 260 LGERA 358 Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bankstown City Council v Hanna [2014] NSWLEC 152; (2014) 205 LGERA 39 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Budvalt Pty Ltd v Grant Barnes, Chief Regulatory Officer, Natural Resources Access Regulator [2022] NSWCCA 9; (2022) 251 LGERA 28 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Boyle [2019] NSWLEC 54 DH v R [2022] NSWCCA 200 Director-General, Dept of Environment and Climate Change v Rae [2009] NSWLEC 137; (2009) 168 LGERA 121 Environment Protection Authority v Albiston [2020] NSWLEC 80 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 Carbon MF Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Fair [2023] NSWLEC 120 Environment Protection Authority v Causmag Ore Company Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 58 Environment Protection Authority v Dial-A-Dump (EC) Pty Ltd [2024] NSWLEC 21; (2024) 261 LGERA 103 Environment Protection Authority v Ditchfield Contracting Pty Ltd [2018] NSWLEC 90 Environment Protection Authority v Gilder [2018] NSWLEC 119 Environment Protection Authority v Grafil Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Mackenzie (No 4) [2021] NSWLEC 123 Environment Protection Authority v Hanna [2010] NSWLEC 98 Environment Protection Authority v Hanna [2018] NSWLEC 80; (2018) 235 LGERA 114 Environment Protection Authority v Hughes [2019] NSWLEC 108 Environment Protection Authority v M A Roche Group Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 29 Environment Protection Authority v Rands [2019] NSWLEC 23 Environment Protection Authority v Ridley AgriProducts Pty Limited [2019] NSWLEC 119 Environment Protection Authority v Routledge [2024] NSWLEC 8 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419; (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Environment Protection Authority v Wattke; Environment Protection Authority v Geerdink [2010] NSWLEC 24 Environment Protection Authority v Wollondilly Abattoirs Pty Limited & Davis [2019] NSWCCA 312 Environment Protection Authority v Wyong Shire Council [2012] NSWLEC 36 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 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Natural Resources Access Regulator v Tony Thompson [2022] NSWLEC 48 Plath v Vaccount Pty t/as Tableland Timbers [2011] NSWLEC 202 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 Rahme v R (1989) 43 A Crim R 81 Veen v The Queen (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 Walden v Hensler [1987] HCA 54; (1987) 163 CLR 561 Weininger v the Queen [2003] HCA 14; (2003) 212 CLR 629 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Bruce Jackson (Defendant) William LeMessurier (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: M Clifford-O'Sullivan (Prosecutor) N Hammond (Defendants)