Environment Protection Authority v Australand Holdings Ltd [2000] NSWLEC 15

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Environment Protection Authority v Australand Holdings Ltd [2000] NSWLEC 15 PROSECUTOR Environment Protection Authority PARTIES : DEFENDANT Australand Holdings Ltd FILE NUMBER(S) : 50028 of 1999 and 50029 of 1999 CORAM: Pearlman J KEY ISSUES: Environmental Offences :- water pollution - plea of guilty - penalty - mitigation LEGISLATION CITED: Clean Waters Act 1970 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 CASES CITED: Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 82 LGERA 21; R v O'Neill (1979) 2 NSWLR 582 DATES OF HEARING: 05/11/1999 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 02/04/2000

PROSECUTOR Mr S J Rushton (Barrister) SOLICITORS Environment Protection Authority LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES: DEFENDANT Mr B J Preston (Barrister) SOLICITORS Mallesons Stephen Jaques

JUDGMENT:

IN THE LAND AND 50028 of 1999 and 50029 of 1999 ENVIRONMENT COURT Pearlman J OF NEW SOUTH WALES 4 February 2000

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY Prosecutor v AUSTRALAND HOLDINGS LTD Defendant

JUDGMENT

Introduction

1. The defendant, Australand Holdings Ltd, has pleaded guilty to two offences against the Environmental Offences and Penalties Act 1989 ("the EOP Act"). The charges allege that, on or about 8 May 1998 and on or about 18 May 1998, the defendant polluted waters contrary to s 16(1) of the Clean Waters Act 1970. The waters are particularised as Tarban Creek.