Minister for Planning v Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 147

Reported Decision : 175 LGERA 93

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Minister for Planning v Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 147

PROSECUTOR Minister for Planning PARTIES : DEFENDANT Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Ltd

FILE NUMBER(S) : 50073 of 2009

CORAM: Craig J

KEY ISSUES: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES :- breach of s 125(1) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 - clearing of vegetation and erection of boundary fence - cleared vegetation included an ecologically endangered community - development in breach of approval granted for coalmining activities under s 75D of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 - sentencing considerations - plea of guilty - harm to the integrity of the planning system by failing to seek approval before carrying out work.

Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 LEGISLATION CITED: Fines Act 1996 Mining Act 1992 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995

Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34 at [71]; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Cameron v Eurobodalla Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 47 at [72]; (2006) 146 LGERA 349 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Council of Camden v Tax [2004] NSWLEC 448; (2004) 137 LGERA 368 Hardt v Environment Protection Authority [2007] NSWCCA 338; (2007) 156 LGERA 337 CASES CITED: Hoare v The Queen (1989) 167 CLR 348 Minister for Planning v Coalpac Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 271 Pittwater Council v Scahill [2009] NSWLEC 12; (2009) 165 LGERA 289 R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLER 383 Veen v The Queen (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 4645