Environment Protection Authority v Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 120

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 120 Hearing dates: 30 July 2015 Decision date: 30 July 2015 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pain J Decision: See paragraph 57 Catchwords: SENTENCING – plea of guilty as occupier of premises which emitted offensive odour in breach of s 129 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 – unexpected change of wind direction just after blast short term amenity and minor health impacts – substantial mitigating factors Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) s 3A of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 s 257B Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) s 3, s 21A, s 22, s 129(1), s 241, s 244, s 250 Cases Cited: Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Limited [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Elias v The Queen (2013) 248 CLR 483 Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 289; (2006) 148 LGERA 278 Environment Protection Authority v BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Limited [2001] NSWLEC 214 Environment Protection Authority v Cargill Australia Limited [2004] NSWLEC 334 Environment Protection Authority v Unomedical Pty Limited (No 4) [2011] NSWLEC 131 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 Thompson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 Siganto v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 656 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) Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr A Macdonald (solicitor) (Prosecutor) Mr T Howard SC (Defendant)