Environment Protection Authority v Big Island Mining Pty Ltd [2014] NSWLEC 131

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Big Island Mining Pty Ltd [2014] NSWLEC 131 Hearing dates: 11-12 August 2014 Decision date: 26 August 2014 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pain J Decision: See paragraph 115 Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES - sentence - pleas of guilty to three charges of water pollution at gold mine - extent of liability of defendant for actions of contractor - strict liability offences - low to medium level of objective seriousness - totality principle applied - mitigating factors considered Legislation Cited: Criminal Procedure Act 1986 s 247E, s 257B Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s 3A, s 21A, s 22, s 23 Environmental Trust Act 1998 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Ch 5, s 120, s 123, s 241, s 237, s 244, s 248, s 250 Cases Cited: Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Limited v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Environment Protection Authority v Bulga Coal Management Pty Ltd [2014] NSWLEC 55 Environment Protection Authority v Centennial Newstan Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 211 Environment Protection Authority v Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd [2013] NSWLEC 134 Environment Protection Authority v Fulton Hogan Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 268; (2008) 163 LGERA 345 Environment Protection Authority v M A Roche Group Pty Ltd [2013] NSWLEC 191 Environment Protection Authority v Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 65 Environment Protection Authority v Moolarben Coal Operating Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] NSWLEC 80 Environment Protection Authority v Ravensworth Operations Pty Limited [2012] NSWLEC 222 Environment Protection Authority v Sibelco Australia Limited [2011] NSWLEC 160 Environment Protection Authority v Snowy Hydro Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 264; (2008) 162 LGERA 273 Environment Protection Authority v Tea Garden Farms Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 89 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 Kyluk Pty Ltd v Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage [2013] NSWCCA 114; (2013) 298 ALR 532 Markarian v R [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Minister for Planning v Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Limited [2010] NSWLEC147; (2010) 174 LGERA 93 Mill v R [1988] HCA 20; (1988) 166 CLR 59 Muldrock v R [2011] HCA 39; (2011) 244 CLR 120 Pearce v R [1998] HCA 57; (1998) 194 CLR 610 R v Olbrich [1999] HCA 54; (1999) 199 CLR 270 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 Walden v Hensler [1957] HCA 54; (1987) 163 CLR 561 Texts Cited: Ivan Potas, Sentencing Manual, Law, Principles and Practice in New South Wales (2001, Lawbook Co), Judicial Commission of New South Wales Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Big Island Mining Pty Limited (Defendant) Representation: Ms Z Shahnawaz (Prosecutor) Mr T Howard SC (Defendant) Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Baker & McKenzie (Defendant) File Number(s): 50083-50085 of 2014