Environment Protection Authority v Hopley [2003] NSWLEC 112

> Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Environment Protection Authority v Hopley [2003] NSWLEC 112 PROSECUTOR Environment Protection Authority PARTIES : DEFENDANT Richard John Hopley FILE NUMBER(S) : 50104 of 2002; 50105 of 2002 CORAM: Cowdroy J KEY ISSUES: Prosecution :- employment of unlicensed driver to transport dangerous goods - pollution of waters - plea of guilty - sentencing considerations - penalty Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, s 3A, s 10, s 21A, s 22, s 23 Fines Act 1996, s 6 Land and Environment Court Act 1979, s 52 LEGISLATION CITED: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, s 120(1), s 123, s 241 Road and Rail Transport (Dangerous Goods) Act 1997, s 35(2) Road Transport Reform (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1997, cl 18 Road and Rail Transport (Dangerous Goods) (Road) Regulation 1998, cl 5 Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 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 Ecolab Pty Limited (2002) 123 LGERA 269; Environment Protection Authority v Rail Infrastructure Corporation (2002) 119 LGERA 409; Mill v The Queen (1988) 166 CLR 59; Newcastle City Council v Pace Farm Egg Products Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 66; CASES CITED: Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610; R v Sharma (2002) 54 NSWLR 301; R v Storey [1998] 1 VR 359; R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; Ryan v The Queen (2001) 206 CLR 267; State Pollution Control Commission v White Wings Limited (Bignold J, Land and Environment Court, 1 November 1991, unreported); The Queen v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270; Tiger Nominees Pty Ltd v State Pollution Control Commission; Kristim Nominees Pty Ltd v State Pollution Control Commission (1991) 25 NSWLR 715; 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: 02/05/2003 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 07/03/2003