Warringah Council v ProjectCorp Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 100 424 440) [2015] NSWLEC 141

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Warringah Council v ProjectCorp Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 100 424 440) [2015] NSWLEC 141 Hearing dates: 29 - 30 May 2013 and 15, 18 July 2013 Date of orders: 03 September 2015 Decision date: 03 September 2015 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Craig J Decision: Proceedings 51226 of 2012: (1) The Defendant is convicted of the offence as charged. (2) The Defendant is fined the sum of $35,000. Proceedings 51227 of 2012: (3) The Defendant is convicted of the offence as charged. (4) The Defendant is fined the sum of $10,000. Both Proceedings: (5) Pursuant to s 248(1) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, the Defendant is ordered to pay the Prosecutor's investigation costs of $1,945.20. (6) The Defendant must pay the Prosecutor's costs of both proceedings, such costs to be determined in accordance with s 257G of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986. (7) Exhibits may be returned. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES – offence against s 125(1) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) – erosion and sediment controls not implemented as required by development consent – offence against s 120(1) of Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) – pollution of waters – plea of guilty to each offence – sentencing principles – erosion and sediment control facilities inadequate – discharge of sediment-laden water the consequence of both offences – offence against s 125(1) undermines integrity of planning and development control system – reasonably foreseeable harm – conduct not reckless in committing pollution offence – failure to implement conditions of consent of low to medium objective seriousness – pollution offence of low objective seriousness – prior penalty infringement notices not an aggravating factor – no prior convictions – remorse and contrition – not appropriate to exercise discretion under s 10 of Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) – principle of totality – fine – costs. Legislation Cited: Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) Cases Cited: Attorney-General's Application (No 3 of 2002) [2004] NSWCCA 303; 61 NSWLR 305 Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Blue Mountains City Council v Carlon [2008] NSWLEC 296 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 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] NSWLEC 80 Environment Protection Authority v Snowy Hydro Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 264; 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; 148 LGERA 299 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242; 145 LGERA 189 Johnson v The Queen [2004] HCA 15; 78 ALJR 616 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; 228 CLR 357 Mosman Church of England Preparatory School v Warringah Council [2009] NSWLEC 1190 Plath v Hunter Valley Property Management Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 264 R v De Simoni [1981] HCA 31; 147 CLR 383 R v Holder; R v Johnston [1983] 3 NSWLR 245 R v Paris [2001] NSWCCA 83 R v Scott [2005] NSWCCA 152 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; 49 NSWLR 383 R v Van Nam Nguyen [2002] NSWCCA 183 State Pollution Control Commission v Hunt (1990) 72 LGRA 316 Thorneloe v Filipowski [2001] NSWCCA 213; 52 NSWLR 60 Veen v The Queen (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; 164 CLR 465 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Warringah Council (Prosecutor) ProjectCorp Australia Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: M Arch (Prosecutor) M C Fraser (Defendant)