Environment Protection Authority v Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd [2013] NSWLEC 134

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd [2013] NSWLEC 134 Hearing dates: 14-15 August 2013 Decision date: 16 August 2013 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Biscoe J Decision: (1) The Defendant is convicted of the offence against s 120 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 as charged. (2) The Defendant is fined the sum of $45,000. (3) Pursuant to s 250(1)(a) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, the Defendant, within 21 days of this order, is to place a notice in the first five pages of the following publications: (a) Singleton Argus newspaper; (b) Newcastle Herald newspaper; and (c) Australian Mining monthly magazine, at a quarter of a page in size in the form of Annexure A. (4) Within 35 days of the date of these orders, the Defendant is to provide to the Prosecutor a complete copy of the page of the publications in which the notice appears. (5) The Defendant is to pay the Prosecutor's costs of the proceedings in the agreed amount of $51,000. (6) The exhibits may be returned. Catchwords: SENTENCING - for polluting waters in breach of s 120 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 ss 3A, s 21A Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, s 250(1)(e) Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 ss 3, 241, 257B, Dictionary Cases Cited: Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34, (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Environment Protection Authority v Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 280, (2008) 163 LGERA 71 Environment Protection Authority v Centennial Newstan Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 211 Environment Protection Authority v Forestry Commission of NSW [2013] NSWLEC 101 Environment Protection Authority v Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 65 Environment Protection Authority v Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] NSWLEC 80 Environment Protection Authority v Pipeline Drillers Group Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 18 Environment Protection Authority v Queanbeyan City Council (No 3) [2012] NSWLEC 220, (2012) 192 LGERA 415 Environment Protection Authority v Ravensworth Operations Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 222 Environment Protection Authority v Sibelco Australia Ltd [2011] NSWLEC 160 Environment Protection Authority v Snowy Hydro Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 264, (2008) 162 LGERA 273 Environment Protection Authority v Straits (Hillgrove) Gold Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 114, (2010) 174 LGERA 314 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419, (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Gosford City Council v Australian Panel Products Pty Ltd [2009] NSWLEC 77 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: COUNSEL: R Fox, solicitor (Prosecutor) C Ireland (Defendant) SOLICITORS: Office of Environment and Heritage (Prosecutor) Minter Ellison (Defendant) File Number(s): 50043/13