Environment Protection Authority v Elf Farm Supplies Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 60

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Elf Farm Supplies Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 60 Hearing dates: 21 November 2016 Date of orders: 30 May 2017 Decision date: 30 May 2017 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Sheahan J Decision: See orders in paragraph [108] Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES – sentence – plea of guilty by the holder of an environmental protection licence which caused process water containing ammonia to be discharged into a creek – breach of s64 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) – contravention of licence condition – breach of s120 of the POEO Act – failure to carry out licensed activities in a competent manner – pollution of waters – environmental harm caused or likely to be caused – potential for harm to aquatic organisms – moderately foreseeable risk of harm – sentencing principles –objective seriousness – offender had total control over the causes of the harm – subjective circumstances – early plea of guilty – demonstrated contrition and remorse – no record of relevant prior convictions – offender agreed to pay the Prosecutor's costs – high level of co-operation with the Prosecutor – specific and general deterrence – offender ordered to pay amount of fines towards revegetation projects and to publicise offence and sentence in newspapers Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Limited (2006) 145 LGERA 234; [2006] NSWLEC 34 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Environment Protection Authority v Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd (2008) 163 LGERA 71 Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 289 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v Custom Chemicals Pty Ltd [2016] NSWLEC 146 Environment Protection Authority v Geoff Robinson Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Robinson [2011] NSWLEC 14 Environment Protection Authority v Orange City Council [1995] NSWLEC 103 Environment Protection Authority v Orica Australia Pty Ltd (the Nitric Acid Air Lift Incident) [2014] NSWLEC 103 Environment Protection Authority v Robinson [2004] NSWLEC 629 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2015] NSWLEC 80 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corp (2006) 148 LGERA 299; [2006] NSWLEC 419 Environment Protection Authority v Wattke; Environment Protection Authority v Geerdink [2010] NSWLEC 24 Filippou v The Queen [2015] HCA 29 Markarian v R [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Mathews v Goulburn Wool Processors, NSWSC, Smart J, 6 November 1986, unreported Muldrock v The Queen [2011] HCA 39 Newcastle City Council v Pace Farm Egg Products [2002] NSWLEC 66 R v Holder; R v Johnston [1983] 3 NSWLR 245 R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270 R v Thomson, R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 Sgroi v R (1989) 40 A Crim R 197 Tolson v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales [2012] NSWLEC 170 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Elf Farm Supplies Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr P English, barrister (Prosecutor) Ms S Duggan, SC (Defendant)