Environment Protection Authority v Queanbeyan City Council (No 3) [2012] NSWLEC 220

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Queanbeyan City Council (No 3) [2012] NSWLEC 220 Hearing dates: 10, 11, 12 and 13 October 2011, 21 August 2012 (written submissions) Decision date: 18 September 2012 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: Orders set out at [286] of the judgment. Catchwords: SENTENCE - offence by council of polluting waters - overflow of sewage into river - extraterritorial operation of Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 - application of De Simoni principle - no intent to pollute waters - limited environmental harm - prior criminality - late plea of guilty - substantial costs order payable - environmental services order in lieu of fine and publication order imposed. Legislation Cited: Clean Waters Act 1970, s 16 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A, 22, 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, ss 257B, 257G Interpretation Act 1987, ss 12, 33 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, s 118 Native Vegetation Act 2003, s 12 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, ss 3, 64(1), 96, 109, 116, 120, 123, 128, 170, 203, 241 Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Blackwell v R [2011] NSWCCA 93; (2011) 208 A Crim R 392 Bourke v R [2010] NSWCCA 22; 199 A Crim R 38 Brownlie v State Pollution Control Commission (1992) 27 NSWLR 78 Cabonne Shire Council v Environment Protection Authority [2001] NSWCCA 280; (2001) 115 LGERA 304 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Cassidy v R [2012] NSWCCA 68 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet v Powell [2012] NSWLEC 129 Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Rinaldo (Nino) Lani [2012] NSWLEC 115. Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae [2009] NSWLEC 137; (2009) 168 LGERA 121 Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Walker Corporation Pty Limited (No 4) [2011] NSWLEC 119 Environment Protection Authority v Albury City Council [2009] NSWLEC 169 Environment Protection Authority v Austar Coal Mine Pty Ltd [2011] NSWLEC 252 Environment Protection Authority v Baiada Poultry Pty Limited [2008] NSWLEC 280; (2008) 163 LGERA 71 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246