Environment Protection Authority v Ramsey Food Processing Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 82

> Reported Decision : (2003) 125 LGERA 369

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Environment Protection Authority v Ramsey Food Processing Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 82 revised - 30/04/2003 PROSECUTOR Environment Protection Authority PARTIES : DEFENDANT Ramsey Food Processing Pty Ltd FILE NUMBER(S) : 50093 of 2002 CORAM: Cowdroy J KEY ISSUES: Environmental Offences :- water pollution - wastewater treatment system - penalty - mitigation - late plea of guilty - expenditure to prevent pollution - negligence irrelevant to strict liability offences LEGISLATION CITED: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, s 120(1), s 120(2), s 123, s 241, s 245(c) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, s 22 Axer Pty Limited v Environment Protection Authority (2001) 113 LGERA 357; Cameron v R (2002) 76 ALJR 382; Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683; Environment Protection Authority v Anning (1998) 100 LGERA 354; Environment Protection Authority v Brazel (2002) 119 LGERA 72; Environmental Protection Authority v Timber Industries Ltd [2000] NSWLEC 39; Environmental Protection Authority v TransGrid [2003] NSWLEC 18; Lim Chin Aik v The Queen [1963] AC 160; CASES CITED: Mathews v Goulburn Wool Processors Pty Limited (Smart J, Supreme Court NSW, 6 November 1986, unreported); Newcastle City Council v Pace Farm Egg Products Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 66; R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270; R v Storey [1998] 1 VR 359; R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; Regina v O'Neill [1979] 2 NSWLR 582; State Pollution Control Commission v Tiger Nominees Pty Ltd and Another (1991) 72 LGRA 337; Thorneloe v Filipowski (2001) 52 NSWLR 60; Woodward (for and on behalf of the State Pollution Control Commission of New South Wales) v Cleary Brothers (Bombo) Pty Ltd (1984) 54 LGRA 409 DATES OF HEARING: 10/03/2003 11/03/2003 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 04/28/2003