Director-General of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water v Walker Corporation Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] NSWLEC 229

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Director-General of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water v Walker Corporation Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] NSWLEC 229 Hearing dates: 19-23 September, 26-29 September, 4-7 October, 11 October, 25-26 October, 9 November 2011 Decision date: 30 November 2011 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Preston CJ Decision: 1. The name of the prosecutor in the summons is amended by omitting "Director-General of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water" and inserting instead "Lisa Corbyn". 2. The defendant is found guilty of the offence as charged. 3. The proceedings are listed on 2 December 2011 before the List Judge to obtain a date for the sentence hearing and to make appropriate directions in preparation for the sentence hearing. Catchwords: PROSECUTION - clear native vegetation without consent - identity of prosecutor - whether proper person instituted and maintained proceedings - whether "clearing" - whether "native vegetation" - whether landholder liable for clearing of contractor - whether consent for clearing - whether vegetation cleared "regrowth" - landholder guilty of charge Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 s 300 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 ss 3, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 173, 174, 175, 246 Fair Trading Act 1987 Fisheries Management Act 1994 Interpretation Act 1987 ss 3, 21 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 s 179 Native Vegetation Act 2003 ss 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 19, 44, Pt 4, Div 2 of Pt 3, Div 3, Div 4 Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 ss 4, 6, 10, 64, 109 Pt 1 of Sch 1, Pt 1 of Sch 2 Cases Cited: ADI Limited v Environmental Protection Authority (2000) 118 A Crim R 335 Alphacell Pty Ltd v Woodward [1972] AC 824 Avel Pty Ltd v Multicoin Amusements Pty Ltd (1990) 171 CLR 88 Broad v Parish (1941) 64 CLR 588 Chugg v Pacific Dunlop Ltd (1990) 170 CLR 249 Coffs Harbour City Council v Hickey [2004] NSWLEC 531 Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd v Producers and Citizens Co-Operative Assurance Co of Australia Ltd (1931) 46 CLR 41 Cooper v ICI Australia Operations Pty Ltd (1987) 31 A Crim R 267; 64 LGRA 58 Corporate Affairs Commission v Bain (1991) 55 A Crim R 73 Department of Environment and Climate Change v Olmwood Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 15; (2010) 173 LGERA 366 Director-General of Department of Land and Water Conservation v Greentree [2003] NSWCCA 31; (2003) 131 LGERA 234 Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Jack and Bill Issa Pty Ltd (No 5) [2009] NSWLEC 232; (2009) 172 LGERA 225 Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate and Change v Walker Corporation Pty Ltd (No 2) [2010] NSWLEC 73 Director of Public Prosecutions v United Telecasters Sydney Ltd (1990) 168 CLR 594 Environment Protection Authority v McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd (2003) 128 LGERA 240 Environment Protection Authority v Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd (2000) 112 LGERA 1 Empress Car Co (Abertillery) Ltd v National Rivers Authority [1998] 1 All ER 481; [1999] 2 AC 22 Epacris Pty Ltd v Director-General, Department of Natural Resources [2007] NSWCCA 76; (2007) 69 NSWLR 507 Garrett v Freeman [2006] NSWCA 278; (2006) 147 LGERA 96 Hardt v Environment Protection Authority [2007] NSWCCA 338; (2007) 156 LGERA 333 Kew v Commissioner of Fair Trading and Robinson [2007] NSWSC 394 Majury v Sunbeam Corporation Ltd [1974] 1 NSWLR 659 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 R v Jung [2006] NSWSC 658 Sasterawan v Morris [2007] NSWCCA 185; (2007) 69 NSWLR 547 Stoneman v Lyons (1975) 133 CLR 550 Vines v Djordjevitch (1955) 91 CLR 512 Wallace v Director-General - NSW Department of Primary Industries [2007] NSWSC 654 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Director-General of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (Prosecutor) Walker Corporation Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Mr B G Docking with Ms S Callan (Prosecutor) Mr J M Ireland QC with Ms J K Taylor (Defendant) NSW Office of Environment & Heritage (Prosecutor) Colin Biggers & Paisley (Defendant) File Number(s): 50034 of 2010