Environment Protection Authority v Ross [2009] NSWLEC 36

Reported Decision : 165 LGERA 42

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Environment Protection Authority v Ross [2009] NSWLEC 36

PROSECUTOR PARTIES : Environment Protection Authority DEFENDANT Harold Mark Ross

FILE NUMBER(S) : 50072 of 2008

CORAM: Pain J

KEY ISSUES: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES :- water pollution - water contaminated by pesticide - serious environmental harm - whether defendant's risk assessment and preventative measures in using pesticide adequate - s 10 dismissal inappropriate - mitigating factors - consideration of means to pay penalty and costs - whether order other than a penalty appropriate

Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s 3A, s 10, s 21A LEGISLATION CITED: Fines Act 1996 s 6 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 s 120, s 241, s 244, s 250

Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Cabonne Shire Council v Environmental Protection Authority (2001) 115 LGERA 304 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Environment Protection Authority v Attard [2000] NSWCCA 242 Environment Protection Authority (EPA) v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v Brazel (No 3) (2002) 121 LGERA 156 Environment Protection Authority v Capdate (1993) 78 LGERA 349 Environment Protection Authority v Cargill Australia Ltd [2007] NSWLEC 337 Environment Protection Authority v Colenden [2007] NSWLEC 289 Environment Protection Authority v Johnson and Johnson Pacific Pty Ltd [2001] NSWLEC 99 Environment Protection Authority v Jolly's Pest Control Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 398 Environmental Protection Authority v Nalco Australia Pty Ltd [2007] NSWLEC 831 CASES CITED: Environment Protection Authority v Rail Infrastructure Corporation (2002) 119 LGERA 409 Environmental Protection Authority v Timber Industries Ltd [2001] NSWLEC 25 Environment Protection Authority v Williams [2006] NSWLEC 722 Fairfield City Council v Hong Song Ngo [2008] NSWLEC 200 Hoare v R (1989) 167 CLR 348 Hunter Water Board v State Rail Authority of New South Wales [No 2] (1992) 75 LGRA 22 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357 Newcastle City Council v Pace Farm Egg Products Pty Ltd (No 3) [2005] NSWLEC 423 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 Thorneloe v Filipowski (2001) 52 NSWLR 60 Veen v The Queen (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465