Wollongong City Council v Eldridge [2017] NSWLEC 35

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Wollongong City Council v Eldridge [2017] NSWLEC 35 Hearing dates: 7, 8 and 9 November; 5 December 2016;20 March 2017 Date of orders: 29 March 2017 Decision date: 29 March 2017 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Moore J Decision: In Matter No 151656 of 2016, the orders are at [214] In Matter No 151599 of 2016, the orders are at [215] Catchwords: SENTENCING – two charges of breaching conditions of development consent – removal of protected vegetation – construction activities in a watercourse – nature of the offences – capacity to pay a fine – evidence concerning personal financial circumstances – no basis to apply s 6 of the Fines Act 1996 – fines imposed – costs ordered Legislation Cited: Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3, 21A and 22 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, ss 257B and 257G Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, s 125 Fines Act 1996, s 6 Water Management Act 2000, s 91 Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009 Cases Cited: Bankstown City Council v Hanna (2014) 205 LGERA 39; [2014] NSWLEC 152 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 EPA v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Leichhardt Council v Geitonia Pty Ltd (No 7) [2015] NSWLEC 79 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 Ryde Municipal Council v Royal Ryde Homes & Anor (1970) 19 LGRA 32 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Wollongong City Council (Prosecutor) Robert Michael Eldridge (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr T Howard SC/Mr A Isaacs, barrister (Prosecutor) Mr R Eldridge, Self-represented (Defendant)