Environment Protection Authority v Forgacs Engineering Pty Limited [2009] NSWLEC 64

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Environment Protection Authority v Forgacs Engineering Pty Limited [2009] NSWLEC 64

PROSECUTOR PARTIES : Environment Protection Authority DEFENDANT Forgacs Engineering Pty Limited

FILE NUMBER(S) : 50087 of 2008

CORAM: Pain J

KEY ISSUES: PROSECUTION :- sentence - breach of environment protection licence condition - failure to prevent the emission of particles from ship repair business in breach of licence condition - potential for ecological harm - actual harm due to amenity impacts - steps taken to mitigate and prevent further harm - one of two causes of the harm foreseeable - whether loss of business after offence should be considered as extra-curial punishment - mitigating factors - publication order and order for contribution to environmental project made

LEGISLATION CITED: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s 3A, 21A, 22 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 s 64, 241, 250

Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Environment Protection Authority v Ampol Refineries (NSW) [1998] NSWLEC 134 Environment Protection Authority v BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd [2000] NSWLEC 19 Environment Protection Authority v BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 46 Environment Protection Authority v Biosolids Management Pty Ltd (2004) 141 A Crim R 573 Environment Protection Authority v Centennial Newstan Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 732 Environment Protection Authority v Coastal Recycled Cooking Oils Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 242 Environment Protection Authority v Delta Electricity [2009] NSWLEC 11 CASES CITED: Environment Protection Authority v Incitec Limited [2003] NSWLEC 381 Environment Protection Authority v Lithgow Coal Company Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 430 Environment Protection Authority v Port Kembla Copper Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 256 Environment Protection Authority v Shoalhaven Starches Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 107 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Hoare v R (1989) 167 CLR 348 Newcastle City Council v Pace Farm Egg Products [2002] NSWLEC 66 R v Sharma (2002) 54 NSWLR 300 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 State Pollution Control Commission v White Wings Pty Ltd, NSWLEC, Bignold J, 1 Nov 1991, unreported Veen v. The Queen (No. 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465