Environment Protection Authority v Forbes Shire Council [2014] NSWLEC 26

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Forbes Shire Council [2014] NSWLEC 26 Hearing dates: 25 March 2014 Decision date: 26 March 2014 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pain J Decision: See paragraph 82 Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES - sentence - plea of guilty to charge of water pollution from livestock exchange facility - medium level of objective seriousness - mitigating factors considered

ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES - sentence - plea of guilty to charge of failing to immediately notify water pollution incident - first time offence prosecuted - low objective seriousness - impact of recent doubling of maximum penalty considered Legislation Cited: Criminal Procedure Act 1986 s 215 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s 3A, s 21A, s 22, s 23 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Ch 5, Pt 5.7, s 116, s 120, s 123, s 148, s 150, s 151, s 152, s 147, s 148, s 241, s 258 Protection of the Environment Legislation Amendment Act 2011 Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Cabonne Shire Council v Environment Protection Authority [2001] NSWCCA 280; (2001) 115 LGERA 304 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Limited v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 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 Bulga Coal Management Pty Ltd [2014] NSWLEC 5 Environment Protection Authority v Caltex Australia Petroleum Pty Limited [2007] NSWLEC 647 Environment Protection Authority v Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd [2013] NSWLEC 134 Environment Protection Authority v Peak Gold Mines Pty Limited [2013] NSWLEC 158 Environment Protection Authority v Queanbeyan City Council (No 3) [2012] NSWLEC 220; (2012) 192 LGERA 415 Environment Protection Authority v Ramsey Food Processing Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 23 Environment Protection Authority v Ravensworth Pty Limited [2012] NSWLEC 222 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 Hoare v R [1989] HCA 33; (1989) 167 CLR 348 Markarian v R [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Muldrock v R [2011] HCA 39; (2011) 244 CLR 120 R v De Simoni [1981] HCA 31; (1981) 147 CLR 383 R v Slattery (1996) 90 A Crim R 519 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Veen v R [1979] HCA 7; (1979) 143 CLR 458 Veen v R (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Forbes Shire Council (Defendant) Representation: Mr E Muston (Prosecutor) Mr T Howard SC (Defendant) Office of Environment and Heritage (Prosecutor) Marsdens Law Group (Defendant) File Number(s): 50495 of 2013, 50496 of 2013