Advanced Arbor Service Pty Ltd v Strathfield Municipal Council [2006] NSWLEC 485

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Advanced Arbor Service Pty Ltd v Strathfield Municipal Council [2006] NSWLEC 485

APPLICANT Advanced Arbor Service Pty Limited PARTIES : RESPONDENT Strathfield Municipal Council

FILE NUMBER(S) : 60010 of 2006

CORAM: Preston CJ

Appeal :- appeal against severity of sentence of Local Court - court cannot set aside conviction on appeal against sentence - appeal against conviction required

KEY ISSUES: Appeal:- appeal against conviction- conviction followed plea of guilty - no appeal as of right - leave to appeal required - application for leave to appeal time-barred

Environmental offences:- carrying out development without consent - removal of tree contrary to tree preservation order - offender professional arborist - environmental harm caused by loss of amenity and privacy - offence committed negligently - need for general deterrence for arborists - subjective mitigating circumstances - no prior convictions - prior good character - early plea of guilty - contrition and remorse - assistance to authorities - legal and economic consequences of conviction

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) s 76A(1)(a), s 125(1) LEGISLATION CITED: Crimes (Local Courts Appeal and Review) Act 2001 (NSW) s 3, s 10, s 11, s 12, s 31, s 32, s 33, s 34, s37, s 39 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) s 10, s 10(1)(a), s 21(3), s 21A(3), s 23

Active Tree Services Pty Limited v Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council [2005] NSWLEC 431 (9 August 2005); Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357; Budget Nursery Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (1989) 42 A Crim R 81; Byron Shire Council v Fletcher (2005) 143 LGERA 155; Cameron v Eurobodalla Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 47 (13 February 2006); Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1992) 32 NSWLR 683; Carlino v Leichhardt Municipal Council (2005) 144 LGERA 235; Cliftleigh Haulage Pty Ltd v Byron Shire Council [2005] NSWLEC 692 (1 December 2005); Cooper v Coffs Harbour Council (1997) 97 LGERA 125; Ex parte Morrissey (1911) 11 SR (NSW) 550; ; Ex parte Day; Re Crampton (1943) 43 SR (NSW) 349; Gittany Constructions Pty Limited v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242 (10 May 2006); CASES CITED: Holroyd City Council v Skyton Developments Pty Limited (2002) 119 LGERA 225; Keir v Sutherland Shire Council [2004] NSWLEC 754 (7 December 2004); Mosman Municipal Council v Menai Excavations Pty Ltd (2002) 122 LGERA 89; R v Kent Justices [1936] 1 KB 54; R v Longshaw (1990) 20 NSWLR 554; R v Oliver (1980) 7 A Crim R 174; R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; R v Visconti (1982) 2 NSWLR 104; Ryde City Council v Calleija (1998) 99 LGERA 360; Sutherland Shire Council v Nustas [2004] NSWLEC 608 (3 November 2004); Sutherland Shire Council v Turner [2004] NSWLEC 774 (18 June 2004); Thornloe v Filipowski (2001) 52 NSWLR 60; Weininger v The Queen (2003) 212 CLR 629