Michael Norvill v Kevin Stokes [2006] NSWLEC 622

Reported Decision : 153 LGERA 278

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Michael Norvill v Kevin Stokes [2006] NSWLEC 622

PROSECUTOR Michael Norvill (for the Department of Natural Resources) PARTIES : DEFENDANT Kevin John Stokes

FILE NUMBER(S) : 50058 of 2005

CORAM: Jagot J

KEY ISSUES: Prosecution :- Clearing State protected land - whether satisfied that land was State protected land - whether satisfied land cleared other than in accordance with development consent - exemptions and exclusions - onus of proof

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Pt 4, s 26(1)(e), s 76A Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 Pt 16 Evidence Act 1995 s 79, s 86, s 146 LEGISLATION CITED: Land and Environment Court Rules 1996 Pt 6 r 2 Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 cl 3(2) of Sch 4, cl 4(2) of Sch 4, s 4(1), s 15(3), s 15(4), s 21(2)(a), s 22, s 66 Soil Conservation Act 1938 s 21AB, s 21B State Environmental Planning Policy No 46 - Protection and Management of Native Vegetation Supreme Court Rules 1970 Pt 75 r 3J

Baiada and Others v Waste Recycling and Processing Service of NSW (1999) 130 LGERA 52; Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67; Director General, Department of Land and Water Conservation v Bailey (2003) 136 LGERA 242; Director-General of Department of Land and Water Conservation v Greentree and Another (2003) 131 LGERA 234, 140 A Crim R 25; Director-General, Department of Land and Water Conservation v Pye [1998] NSWLEC 301; Director of Public Prosecutions v United Telecasters Sydney Limited (1990) 168 CLR 594; Environment Protection Authority v Leaghur Holdings Pty Ltd (1995) 80 A Crim R 553; Gabriel v Ah Mook (1924) 34 CLR 591; Hanwood Pastoral Co Pty Ltd v Director-General, Department of Natural Resources (2005) 144 LGERA 139; CASES CITED: James Pennycook Davie v The Lord Provost, Magistrates and Councillors of the City of Edinburgh 1953 SC 34; Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705; May v O'Sullivan (1955) 92 CLR 654; President, etc., of the Shire of Braybrook v Robinson [1920] VLR 552; R v Birks (1990) 19 NSWLR 677; R v Hien Puoc Tang [2006] NSWCCA 167; Reid v Kerr (1974) 9 SASR 367; The Adelaide Steamship Company Limited and Others v His Majesty the King and the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth (1912) 15 CLR 65; The King v Hush; Ex parte Devanny (1932) 48 CLR 487; Vitality Care Pty Ltd v Director-General, Department of Natural Resources [2006] NSWLEC 506; Zanetti v Hill (1962) 108 CLR 433