Coffs Harbour City Council v Michael John Hickey; Coffs Harbour City Council v Marcus Monroe Hickey [2004] NSWLEC 531

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Coffs Harbour City Council v Michael John Hickey; Coffs Harbour City Council v Marcus Monroe Hickey [2004] NSWLEC 531 No. 50120 of 2003 PROSECUTOR: Coffs Harbour City Council DEFENDANT: Michael John Hickey PARTIES : No. 50034 of 2004 PROSECUTOR: Coffs Harbour City Council DEFENDANT: Marcus Monroe Hickey

FILE NUMBER(S) : 50120 of 2003 and 50034 of 2004 CORAM: Lloyd J KEY ISSUES: Environmental Offences :- removal of trees by independent contractors without development consent - defendants not vicariously liable - defendants did not cause removal of trees LEGISLATION CITED: Alphacell Ltd v Woodward [1972] AC 824; Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd v Producers & Citizens Co-operative Assurance Co of Australia Ltd (1931) 46 CLR 41; CASES CITED: Environment Agency (formerly National Rivers Authority) v Empress Car Co (Abertillery) Ltd [1999] 2 AC 22; Environment Protection Authority v McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd (2003) 128 LGERA 240; Environment Protection Authority v Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd (2000) 112 LGERA 1; Stoneman v Lyons (1975) 133 CLR 550 DATES OF HEARING: 26/07/2004; 27/07/2004; 28/07/2004 and 29/07/2004 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 09/29/2004

PROSECUTOR: Mr T G Howard (barrister) SOLICITORS: MBT Lawyers LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES: DEFENDANT: Mr J W Conomos (barrister) SOLICITORS: Carneys Lawyers