Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419

Reported Decision : (2006) 148 LGERA 299

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

PROSECUTOR Environment Protection Authority PARTIES : DEFENDANT Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation

FILE NUMBER(S) : 50001 of 2006

CORAM: Preston CJ

Prosecution :- pollution of waters - sentencing - objective seriousness of offence - substantial environmental harm - foreseeability of risk of harm - practical measures to prevent risk - control over causes - mitigating circumstances - plea of guilty - good character - contrition and remorse - assistance to authorities KEY ISSUES: Prosecution:- sentencing - fine - orders for payment of prosecutor's legal costs and investigative costs and expenses - publication orders in newspaper and annual report.

Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s 3A(a)-(f), s 21A(2)(d), s 21A(3)(e)-(f), s 21A(3)(i), s 21A(3)(k), s 21A(3)(m), s 22(1), s 22(1)(b), s 23(1), s 23(2)(b)-(d), s 23(2)(i), s 23(3) LEGISLATION CITED: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) s 120(1), s 120(2), s 241(1)(b)-(e), s 248(1), s 250(1)(a), s 257, s 257(1)(b), s 257(2), s 258(2) Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation Act 2001 s 5(1)(a)

Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357; Baumer v R (1988) 166 CLR 51; Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34 (6 February 2006); Brimble v Epping Rubber Company Pty Ltd [1990] NSWLEC 94 (17 August 1990); Cabonne Shire Council v Environment Protection Authority (2001) 115 LGERA 304; Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Limited v Environment Protection Authority (1992) 32 NSWLR 683; Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of NSW (2000) 49 NSWLR 610; Environment Protection Authority v Arenco Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 244 (9 May 2006); Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 289 (5 May 2006); Environment Protection Authority v BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Limited [1999] NSWLEC 197 (3 September 1999); Environment Protection Authority v BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd [2000] NSWLEC 19 (8 February 2000); Environment Protection Authority v BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWLEC 214 (11 September 2001); Environment Protection Authority v Biosolids Management Pty Ltd (2004) 141 A Crim R 573; Environment Protection Authority v Byron Shire Council [2001] NSWLEC 54 (revised 1 May 2001); Environment Protection Authority v Coe Drilling Australia Pty Limited [2005] NSWLEC 719 (5 December 2005); Environment Protection Authority v Coggins (2003) 126 LGERA 219; Environment Protection Authority v Devro-Teepak Pty Ltd [2000] NSWLEC 275 (20 December 2000); Environment Protection Authority v Ecolab Pty Ltd (2002) 123 LGERA 269; Environment Protection Authority v Hochtief AG [2006] NSWLEC 200 (28 April 2006); Environment Protection Authority v HTT Huntley Heritage [2003] NSWLEC 142 (20 June 2003); Environment Protection Authority v Illawarra Coke Pty Ltd [2005] NSWLEC 296 (21 February 2005); Environment Protection Authority v Incitec Ltd (2003) 131 LGERA 176; Environment Protection Authority v Integral Energy Australia Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 141 (28 March 2006); Environment Protection Authority v Metalcorp Recyclers Pty Ltd (2004) 136 LGERA 125; Environment Protection Authority v Nationwide Oil Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 201 (15 November 2002); Environment Protection Authority v Orica Australia Pty Ltd [2005] NSWLEC 621 (4 April 2005); Environment Protection Authority v Pannowitz [2006] NSWLEC 219 (9 May 2006); Environment Protection Authority v Pannowitz; EPA v Steepleton Pty Limited [2005] NSWLEC 175 (22 April 2005); Environment Protection Authority v Port Kembla Copper Pty Ltd [2001] NSWLEC 223 (28 September 2001); Environment Protection Authority v Ramsay Food Processing Pty Ltd (2003) 125 LGERA 369; Environment Protection Authority v Simplot Australia Pty Ltd [2001] NSWLEC 40 (7 March 2001); Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2000] NSWLEC 156 (21 July 2001); Environment Protection Authority v Tyco Water Pty Ltd (2005) 142 LGERA 241; Environmental Protection Authority v Warringah Shire Council Ltd (No 2) (2003) 129 LGERA 211; Fletcher Construction Australia Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Fisher) (1999) 91 IR 66; CASES CITED: Gibson v The Queen (1991) 172 CLR 353; Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242 (10 May 2006); Hoare v R (1989) 167 CLR 348; Ibbs v R (1987) 163 CLR 447; Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v Union of India AIR 1996 SC 1446; Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464; Lowe v The Queen (1994) 154 CLR 606; M.C. Mehta v Union of India, Supreme Court of India, Writ Petn No 3727/1985 (19 December 1996); M.C. Mehta v Union of India, Supreme Court of India, Writ Petn No 13381/1984 (30 December 1996); Markarian v The Queen (2005) 79 ALJR 1048; Mickelberg (1984) 13 A Crim R 365; R v A [2004] NSWCCA 292 (16 December 2004); R v Allpass (1993) 72 A Crim R 561; R v Carter [2001] NSWCCA 245; R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349; R v El Hani [2004] NSWCCA 162 (21 May 2004); R v Frank Waqa (No 2) 156 A Crim R 454; R v Gallagher (1991) 23 NSWLR 220; R v McGourty [2002] NSWCCA 335 (13 August 2002); R v Morgan (1993) 70 A Crim R 368; R v Murray (unreported, NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, 22 October 1997); R v Nicols (1991) 57 A Crim R 391; R v H (1980) 3 A Crim R 53; R v Oliver (1980) 7 A Crim R 174; R v Rushby [1977] 1 NSWLR 594; R v Scott [2005] NSWCCA 152 (18 April 2005); R v Sharma (2002) 54 NSWLR 300; R v Stahl [1999] NSWCCA 160 (26 May 1999); R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; R v United Keno Hill Mines Ltd (1980) 1 YR 299; 10 CELR 43; Research Foundation for Science Technology and Natural Resources Policy v Union of India, Supreme Court of India, Writ Petn No 657/1995, (5 January 2005); Ryan v The Queen (2001) 206 CLR 267; State Pollution Control Commission v White Wings Ltd. (unreported, Land & Environment Court, No 50129 of 1991, Bignold J, 1 November 1991); Veen v R (No 1) (1979) 143 CLR 458; Veen v R (No 2) (1998) 164 CLR 465; Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v Union of India AIR 1996 SC 2715; Waweru v Republic of Kenya, High Court of Kenya, Misc Civ App No 118 of 2004, 2 March 2006