Environment Protection Authority v Pannowitz; Environment Protection Authority v Steepleton Pty Limited [2005] NSWLEC 175

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Environment Protection Authority v Pannowitz; Environment Protection Authority v Steepleton Pty Limited [2005] NSWLEC 175

No. 50024 of 2004

PROSECUTOR: Environment Protection Authority

DEFENDANT: Kenneth Warren Pannowitz

PARTIES : No. 50025 of 2004

PROSECUTOR: Environment Protection Authority

DEFENDANT: Steepleton Pty Limited

FILE NUMBER(S) : 50024 of 2004 and 50025 of 2004

CORAM: Lloyd J

Prosecution :- plea of guilty - penalty - mitigation

KEY ISSUES: Environmental Offences: unlawful transport of demolition waste - risk of harm - serious offence - general deterrence - specific deterrence - principle of even-handedness - totality principle

Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), s 253(2) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act, ss 3A, s 21A(2), 22 Clean Air Act 1961, s 27(5) Environmental Offences and Penalties Act 1989 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED: Fines Act 1996, s 6 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1999 (NSW), ss 3(d)(iii), 3(g) 143(1)(a), 143(3A) and (3B), 144(1), 169(1), 241, s 250(1)(a) Waste Minimisation and Management Act 1995 (NSW), s 63(1) Water Management Act 2000, s 256(1) Occupational Health and Safety (Demolition Licensing) Regulation 1996

Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357; Camilleri's Stock Feed Pty Limited v Environment Protection Authority (1993) NSWLR 683; Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mayo-Ramsay) (2000) 49 NSWLR 61; Environment Protection Authority v Nechakoski (2002) 120 LGERA 426; Environment Protection Authority v Robinson [2004] NSWLEC 629; Environment Protection Authority v Sorcevski [2002] NSWLEC 115; Fletcher Constructions Australia Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Fisher) (1999) 91 IR 66; Hannah v Wonah Pty Ltd (1992) 34 AILR 333; Inspector Petar Ankucic v William George Young [2004] NSWIRComm 184; CASES CITED: Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534; Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464; R v H (1980) 3 A Crim R 53; R v Holder [1983] 3 NSWLR 245; R v Oliver (1980) 7 A Crim R 174; R v Rushby [1977] 1 NSWLR 594; R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; R v Visconti (1982) 2 NSWLR 104; Walden v Hensler (1987) 163 CLR 561; WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Kelsey) v University of Sydney [1977] NSWIRComm 44