Environment Protection Authority v Wyong Shire Council [2012] NSWLEC 36

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Wyong Shire Council [2012] NSWLEC 36 Hearing dates: 17 December 2010 Decision date: 09 March 2012 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Craig J Decision: See orders at [142] Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES: sentence - waste disposal - offence against s 144(1) of the Protection of Environment Operations Act 1997 - Council operating premises as "waste facility" without a licence contrary to provisions of the Act - waste on site exceeded unlicensed allowable limit - environmentally sensitive area - mistaken belief as to existing use rights reasonably held - reasons for commission of offences in context of legislation - no lasting environmental harm - contrition demonstrated by defendant - mitigating factors - low end of medium objective seriousness - penalty imposed - publication order made Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001 Cases Cited: Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae [2009] NSWLEC 137; (2009) 168 LGERA 121 Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 289; (2006) 148 LGERA 278 Environment Protection Authority v Fulton Hogan Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 268; (2008) 163 LGERA 345 Environment Protection Authority v Port Stephens Council [2011] NSWLEC 209 Environment Protection Authority v Smart Skip (NSW) Pty Ltd [2009] NSWLEC 204 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 Veen v The Queen (No 1) [1979] HCA 7; (1979) 143 CLR 458 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Wyong Shire Council (Defendant) Representation: Mr J C Giles (Prosecutor) Mr T F Robertson SC (Defendant) Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (Prosecutor) HWL Ebsworth (Defendant) File Number(s): 50015 of 2010 50016 of 2010