Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment v Charbon Coal Pty Ltd [2016] NSWLEC 106

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment v Charbon Coal Pty Ltd [2016] NSWLEC 106 Hearing dates: 9 August 2016 Date of orders: 18 August 2016 Decision date: 18 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 $175,000. (3) Pursuant to the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) s 257B, the Defendant is to pay the Prosecutor's costs of the proceedings in the sum of $55,000. (4) Pursuant to the Fines Act 1992 (NSW) s 122(2), one half of the fine imposed by order 2 is to be paid to the Prosecutor. (5) The exhibits are to be returned. Catchwords: SENTENCE – plea of guilty to breach of Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 – failure to comply with conditions of consent – disturbance of identified Aboriginal cultural heritage site by change in mine haul road location – state of mind of defendant Legislation Cited: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, ss 5, 25, 75D, 76A(1), 125(1), Sch 6A Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A, 22 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, s 257B Fines Act 1996, ss 4, 7, 122 Mining Act 1992 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 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 BT Goldsmith Planning Services Pty Ltd v Bankstown City Council [2005] NSWLEC 210 Burwood Council v Doueihi [2013] NSWLEC 196; (2013) 200 LGERA 152 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Hudson (No 2) [2015] NSWLEC 110 Director-General, Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae [2009] NSWLEC 137; (2009) 168 LGERA 121 Director-General, Department of Planning and Infrastructure v Integra Coal Operations Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 255; (2012) 192 LGERA 281 Environment Protection Authority v Ravensworth Operations Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 222 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 Hawkesbury City Council v Mushroom Composters Pty Ltd (No 2) (1996) 89 LGERA 132 Hoare v The Queen [1989] HCA 33; (1989) 167 CLR 348 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Minister for Planning v Coalpac Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 271 Minister for Planning v Hunter Quarries Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 246 Minister for Planning v Moolarben Coal Mines Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 147; (2010) 175 LGERA 93 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 Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment v Boggabri Coal Pty Ltd [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: Secretary, Department of Planning and Environment (Prosecutor) Charbon Coal Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: COUNSEL: E C Muston SC and N M Kelly (Prosecutor) J E Davidson (Defendant)