Environment Protection Authority v Buchanan (No 2) [2009] NSWLEC 31

Reported Decision : 165 LGERA 383

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Environment Protection Authority v Buchanan (No 2) [2009] NSWLEC 31

PROSECUTOR PARTIES : Enivronment Protection Authority DEFENDANT Ruth Buchanan

FILE NUMBER(S) : 50074 of 2007

CORAM: Pain J

KEY ISSUES: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES :- sentencing - breach of conditions of environment protection licence - operation of hazardous industrial waste treatment and storage facility - clean up notices issued not complied with - sole director liable for environmental offence - potential for significant environmental harm - harm foreseeable - negligent conduct of business - consideration of means to pay as defendant bankrupt - mitigating factors - whether third party clean up costs payable - whether legal costs payable - appropriate penalty

Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 s 3, s 64, s 169, s 241, s 246, s 298(1) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s 3A, s 21A, s 22 LEGISLATION CITED: Criminal Procedure Act 1986 s 257 Fines Act 1996 s 6 Land and Environment Court Act 1979 s 41 Occupational Health And Safety Act 2000

Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Limited (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Carbonne Shire Council v Environmental Protection Authority (2001) 115 LGERA 304 Environment Protection Authority v Ableway Waste Management Pty Ltd and Anor [2005] NSWLEC 469 Environmental Protection Authority v Australian Waste Recyclers 1 Pty Ltd [2005] NSWLEC 739 Environmental Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council (2006) 148 LGERA 278 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environmental Protection Authority v BlueScope Steel (AIS) Pty Limited [2004] NSWLEC 400 Environment Protection Authority v Buchanan [2008] NSWLEC 315 Environment Protection Authority v Douglass [No 2] [2002] NSWLEC 94 Environment Protection Authority v Eljo Pty Limited;Environment Protection Authority v Solo Waste Australia Pty Limited [2005] NSWLEC 341 Environment Protection Authority v Emerald Peat Pty Ltd (in liq) [1999] NSWLEC 147 Environment Protection Authority v Hogan [2008] NSWLEC 125 Environment Protection Authority v HTT Huntley Heritage Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 142 Environment Protection Authority v Incitec Ltd (2003) 131 LGERA 176 CASES CITED: Environmental Protection Authority v Nalco Australia Pty Ltd [2007] NSWLEC 831 Environment Protection Authority v Obaid [2005] NSWLEC 171 Environment Protection Authority v Rethmann Australia Environmental Services [2003] NSWLEC 351 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Ship Repair and Engineering Pty Ltd [2005] NSWLEC 236 Environment Protection Authority v Taylor (No 4) (2002) 120 LGERA 414 Environmental Protection Authority v Timber Industries Ltd [2001] NSWLEC 25 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corp (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534 Newcastle City Council v Pace Farm Egg Products [2002] NSWLEC 66 R v Carroll [2008] NSWCCA 218 R v Rahme (1989) 43 A Crim R 81 R v Sharma (2002) 54 NSWLR 300 R v Slattery (1996) 90 A Crim R 519 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 Resoureco Pty Ltd v Harvey (2007) 154 LGERA 37 Veen v The Queen [No. 2] (1988) 164 CLR 465