Macquarie Generation v Hodgson [2011] NSWCA 424

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Macquarie Generation v Hodgson [2011] NSWCA 424 Hearing dates: 13/09/2011 Decision date: 22 December 2011 Before: Whealy JA, Meagher JA, Handley AJA Decision: (1) Appeal allowed with costs; (2) Orders 1 and 2 made by Pain J on 4 March 2011 be set aside; (3) In lieu thereof, order that the applicant's notice of motion of 15 June 2010 be dismissed with costs; (4) Order that the applicant's amended summons be dismissed with costs, but not so as to disturb any existing orders for costs in favour of the applicant; (5) The respondent to have a certificate under the Suitors Fund Act. [Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.] Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - whether offence breach of statutory duty ENVIRONMENTAL LAW - pollution -emissions -- statutory licence -- whether implied condition limiting emissions NUISANCE - defence -- statutory authority -- reasonable care STATUTE - statutory offence - whether breach of statutory duty Legislation Cited: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, s 252(1) Cases Cited: Allen v Gulf Oil Ltd [1981] AC 1001 BP Refinery (Westernport) Pty Ltd v Shire of Hastings (1977) 180 CLR 266 Bartlett v Vinor (1692) Carthew 252 Blue Mountains Conservation Society Inc v Delta Electricity [2011] NSWLEC 145 BMA v The Commonwealth [1949] HCA 44; 79 CLR 201 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of NSW [1982] HCA 24; 149 CLR 337 Cope v Rowlands (1836) 2 M&W 149 EPA v Alkem Drums Pty Ltd [2000] NSWCCA 416; 113 LGERA 130 Gray v Macquarie Generation (No 1) [2009] NSWLEC 34 Gray v Macquarie Generation (No 3) [2011] NSWLEC 3 Hammersmith and City Railway Co v Brand (1869) LR 4 HL 171 Kuligowski v Metrobus [2004] HCA 34; 220 CLR 363 Manchester Corporation v Farnworth [1930] AC 171 Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd v Sydney Water Corporation [2004] NSWLEC 699, 138 LGERA 383 Metropolitan Asylum District v Hill (1881) 6 App Cas 193 Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board v OK Elliott Ltd [1934] HCA 57; 52 CLR 134 Redpath v Allen (1872) LR 4 PC 511 Tate & Lyle Industries Ltd v Greater London Council [1983] 2 AC 509 Van Son v Forestry Commission of New South Wales (1995) 86 LGERA 108 Yango Pastoral Co Pty Ltd v First Chicago Australia Ltd [1978] HCA 42; 139 CLR 410 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Macquarie Generation (Applicant) Naomi Crystal Hodgson (Respondent) Representation: R P Lancaster SC and L T Livingston - (A) I Lloyd QC and A Stafford - (R) Clayton Utz (A) Environmental Defender's Office (NSW) (R) File Number(s): 2011/106649 Decision under appeal Citation: [2011] NSWLEC 3 Date of Decision: 2011-02-01 00:00:00 Before: Pain J File Number(s): 40500 of 2009