Environment Protection Authority v Lithgow City Council [2007] NSWLEC 695

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Environment Protection Authority v Lithgow City Council [2007] NSWLEC 695

PROSECUTOR Environment Protection Authority PARTIES : DEFENDANT Lithgow City Council

FILE NUMBER(S) : 50046 of 2006; 50047 of 2006

CORAM: Preston CJ

KEY ISSUES: Environmental Offences :- sentencing - breach of conditions of environment protection licence - conditions requiring pollution studies and reduction programs - systemic failure in management and operation of premises - failure to prioritise asset management and need for regulatory compliance - conscious decision not to comply for financial reasons - non-compliance continued over lengthy periods - potential for environmental harm - forseeable risk of harm - practical measures to prevent risk of harm - control over causes - prior criminal convictions for breach of condition of an environment protection licence - plea of guilty - contrition and remorse - sentence to achieve retribution, denunciation and deterence (both general and specific) - penalty of fine, orders under s 245 of Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and costs order

LEGISLATION CITED: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s 3A Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 s 64(1), s 241(1), s 245

Axer Pty Limited v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357; Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Limited (2006) 145 LGERA 234; Byres v Leichhardt Municipal Council [2006] NSWLEC 82 ; Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683; Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council (2006) 148 LGERA 278; Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 (17 August 2006); Environment Protection Authority v Lithgow City Council [2003] NSWLEC 425 (18 August 2003); Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2000] NSWLEC 156 (21 July 2000); CASES CITED: Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation (2006) 148 LGERA 299; Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2006) 145 LGERA 189 ; Majury v Sunbeam Corporation Ltd [1974] 1 NSWLR 659; Mill v The Queen (1988) 166 CLR 59; Pearce v The Queen (1998) 199 CLR 610 ; R v McNaughton [2006] NSWCCA 242 (11 August 2006); R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 ; Veen v The Queen (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465 at 477; Weininger v The Queen (2003) 212 CLR 629