Environment Protection Authority v George Weston Foods Limited [2013] NSWLEC 16

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v George Weston Foods Limited [2013] NSWLEC 16 Hearing dates: 13 February 2013 Decision date: 15 February 2013 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pain J Decision: 1. The Defendant is convicted of the offence with which it is charged. 2. The Defendant is fined the sum of $20,000 to be paid to the Registrar of the Court within 28 days of today's date. 3. The Defendant is to pay the Prosecutor's costs of $25,000. 4. The exhibits may be returned. Catchwords: SENTENCE - unsafe transport of dangerous goods - failure of consignor to ensure driver and vehicle licensed for dangerous goods and vehicle placarded - early plea of guilty Legislation Cited: Clean Waters Act 1970 s 16(1) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s 3, s 3A, 21A Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Act 2008 s 3, s 9 Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Regulation 2009 cl 15, cl 78, cl 80, cl 81, cl 99, cl 189, cl 191, cl 192 Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic) s 31A, s 39, s 45, s 67AC Environmental Offences and Penalties Act 1989 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 s 120, s 250 Road and Rail Transport (Dangerous Goods) Act 1997 s 37(1) Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Limited [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Cameron v Eurobodalla Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 47; (2006) 146 LGERA 349 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Environment Protection Authority v Embridge Crest Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 238 Environment Protection Authority v George Weston Foods Ltd, NSWLEC, Lloyd J, 5 May 1998, unreported Environment Protection Authority v George Weston Foods Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 120 Environment Protection Authority v Moama Refinery Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 244 Environment Protection Authority v Patrick Distribution Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 123 Environment Protection Authority v Ravensworth Operations Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 222 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corp [2006] NSWLEC 419; (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Hoare v R [1989] HCA 33; (1989) 167 CLR 348 R v Sharma [2002] NSWCCA 142; (2002) 54 NSWLR 300 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Olbrich [1999] HCA 54; (1999) 199 CLR 270 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) George Weston Foods Limited (Defendant) Representation: Ms P Dwyer (Prosecutor) Mr T Howard (Defendant) Office of Environment and Heritage (Prosecutor) Herbert Smith, Freehills (Defendant) File Number(s): 50934 of 2012