Canterbury-Bankstown Council v Naji [2016] NSWLEC 101

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Canterbury-Bankstown Council v Naji [2016] NSWLEC 101 Hearing dates: 10 August 2016 Date of orders: 11 August 2016 Decision date: 11 August 2016 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pain J Decision: (1) The Defendant is convicted of the offence as charged. (2) The Defendant is fined in the sum of $ 28,000 (3) Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) s 257B, the Defendant is to pay the Prosecutor's costs of the proceedings in the sum of $23,000. (4) The exhibits are returned. Catchwords: SENTENCE – Plea of guilty to breach of Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 – failure to comply with Complying Development Certificate in creating unauthorised basement level – offence committed negligently – minimal environmental harm Legislation Cited: Bankstown Local Environmental Plan 2015 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 19, 21A, 22 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, s 257B Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 ss 5, 76A, 125 Fines Act 1996, ss 7, 10 Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Blue Mountains City Council v Carlon [2008] NSWLEC 296 Burwood Council v Doueihi [2013] NSWLEC 196; (2013) 200 LGERA 152 Burwood Council v Pratelli [2014] NSWLEC 28 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Council of the City of Sydney v Adams [2015] NSWLEC 206 Council of the Municipality of Kiama v Furlong [2009] NSWLEC 139 Council of the Municipality of Kiama v Gerringong Developments Pty Ltd [2007] NSWLEC 257 Council of the Municipality of Kiama v Pacific Real Estate (Warilla) Pty Ltd [2009] NSWLEC 191 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419; (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242; (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Hoare v The Queen [1989] HCA 33; (1989) 167 CLR 348 Hunter's Hill Council v Touma [2008] NSWLEC 227 Maitland City Council v Link Building Services Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 71 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Mosman Municipal Council v Menai Excavations Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 132; (2002) 122 LGERA 89 Muldrock v The Queen [2011] HCA 39; (2011) 244 CLR 120 Pittwater Council v Scahill [2009] NSWLEC 12; (2009) 165 LGERA 289 R v O'Neill [1979] 2 NSWLR 582 R v Olbrich [1999] HCA 54; (1999) 199 CLR 270 Secretary Department of Planning and Environment v Boggabri Coal Pty Limited [2014] NSWLEC 154 Veen v The Queen [1979] HCA 7; (1979) 143 CLR 458 Veen v The Queen (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 Category: Sentence Parties: Canterbury-Bankstown Council (Prosecutor) Hasan Naji (Defendant) Representation: COUNSEL: M Wright (Prosecutor) S Nash with Z Shahnawaz (Defendant)