Burwood Council v Erector Group Pty Ltd; Burwood Council v Liverpool Developing Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 20

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Burwood Council v Erector Group Pty Ltd; Burwood Council v Liverpool Developing Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 20 Hearing dates: 7 February 2017 Date of orders: 06 March 2017 Decision date: 06 March 2017 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Preston CJ Decision: Orders as set out in [84] Catchwords: OFFENCES AND PENALTIES – sentence – carrying out development contrary to condition of development consent – erection of building without construction certificate and appointment of principal certifying authority – excavation of land caused damage to adjoining buildings – objective seriousness of offences – failures causally linked to damage to adjoining buildings – damage was substantial – foreseeable risk of damage – practical measures to avoid damage – control over causes of offences – offences not committed to avoid obligations or to save time or money – offences not part of planned or organised activity – low overall objective seriousness – subjective circumstances of offenders – no prior convictions – delayed pleas of guilty – offenders remorseful for the offences – offenders unlikely to re-offend – some assistance to law enforcement authorities – totality principle applied for multiple offences – fines imposed – offenders ordered to pay prosecutor's costs Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 ss 3A, 21A, 22, 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 ss 257B, 257G Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 ss 76A(1), 81A(2), 109E(3)(d), 125(1), 125B(2) Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 cls 98E, 139, 162A(4)(b); Schedule 1, Part 3 Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd (2006) 145 LGERA 234; [2006] NSWLEC 34 Cameron v Eurobodalla Shire Council (2006) 146 LGERA 349; [2006] NSWLEC 47 Carlino v Leichhardt Municipal Council (2005) 144 LGERA 235; [2005] NSWLEC 198 Council of the City of Sydney v Trico Constructions Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 56 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2006) 145 LGERA 189; [2006] NSWLEC 242 Kari & Ghossayn Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2006) 150 LGERA 231; [2006] NSWLEC 532 Keir v Sutherland Shire Council [2004] NSWLEC 754 Morton v R [2014] NSWCCA 8 Mosman Municipal Council v Menai Excavations Pty Ltd (2002) 122 LGERA 89; [2002] NSWLEC 132 Pittwater Council v Scahill (2009) 165 LGERA 289; [2009] NSWLEC 12 R v Borkowski (2009) 195 A Crim R 1; [2009] NSWCCA 102 R v Howland (1999) 104 A Crim R 273; [1999] NSWCCA 10 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 Tiger Nominees Pty Ltd v State Pollution Control Commission (1992) 25 NSWLR 715 Category: Sentence Parties: Burwood Council v Erector Group Pty Ltd Burwood Council (Prosecutor) Erector Group Pty Ltd (Defendant) Burwood Council v Liverpool Developing Pty Ltd Burwood Council (Prosecutor) Liverpool Developing Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr P McGuire (Prosecutor) Mr R O'Gorman-Hughes (Defendants)