Burwood Council v Matthews [2013] NSWLEC 23

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Burwood Council v Matthews [2013] NSWLEC 23 Hearing dates: 22 February 2013 Decision date: 22 February 2013 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: (1) Mr Matthews is convicted of both offences as charged; (2) in respect of the first charge Mr Matthews is fined the sum of $13,400; (3) in respect of the second charge Mr Matthews is fined the sum of $6,700; (4) pursuant to s 257B of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 Mr Matthews is to pay the prosecutor's costs of the proceedings fixed in the sum of $9,000 (incl of GST); and (5) the exhibits are to be returned. Catchwords: SENTENCING: development without consent - failure to comply with stop work order - guilty plea - relevant sentencing principles - whether offences committed intentionally - no actual harm - fine imposed - costs order made Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A, 22, 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, s 257B Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, ss 5, 121B Fines Act 1996, ss 6, 7, 10 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 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 Cessnock City Council v Bimbadgen Estate Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] NSWLEC 140 Council of the Municipality of Kiama v Furlong [2009] NSWLEC139 Director-General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae [2009] NSWLEC 137; (2009) 168 LGERA 121 Garrett v Freeman (No 5) [2009] NSWLEC 1; (2009) 164 LGERA 287 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242; (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Great Lakes Council v Spalding [2011] NSWLEC 257 Hili v The Queen; Jones v The Queen (2010) 242 CLR 520 Hurstville City Council v Naumcevski [2011] NSWLEC 226 Ku-ring-gai Council v Abroon (No 3) [2012] NSWLEC 12 Lee v Office of Environment and Heritage [2012] NSWLEC 9 Pittwater Council v Scahill [2009] NSWLEC 12; (2009) 165 LGERA 289 Plath v Hunter Valley Property Management Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 264 Plath v Rawson [2009] NSWLEC 178; (2009) 170 LGERA 253 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 The Council of the Municipality of Kiama v Pacific Real Estate (Warilla) Pty Ltd [2009] NSWLEC 191 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Burwood Council (Prosecutor) Eric Matthews (Defendant) Representation: Mr S Shneider (Solicitor) (Prosecutor) Mr G Thomas (Barrister) (Defendant) Houston Dearn O'Connor (Prosecutor) NA (Defendant) File Number(s): 50797 of 2012