Environment Protection Authority v Steggles Foods Mt Kuring-gai Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 178

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Steggles Foods Mt Kuring-gai Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 178 Hearing dates: 6 December 2017 Date of orders: 15 December 2017 Decision date: 15 December 2017 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pain J Decision: See par 73 Catchwords: SENTENCING – environmental offence – plea of guilty to offence of breach of condition of environment protection licence – status offence as holder of environment protection licence – specialist contractor failed to properly maintain refrigeration equipment – substantial environmental harm resulting from escape of ammonia gas causing hospitalisation of employee – extent of control over causes of offence – mitigating factors – publication order made – fine imposed Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 ss 3A, 10, 21A, 22, 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 ss 257B, 257G Marine Pollution Act 1987 s 27 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 ss 3, 64, 241, 244, 250, Dictionary 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 Cabonne Shire Council v Environment Protection Authority (2001) 115 LGERA 304; [2001] NSWCCA 280 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Limited v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Director-General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae (2009) 168 LGERA 121; [2009] NSWLEC 137 Environment Protection Authority v Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd (2008) 163 LGERA 71; [2008] NSWLEC 280 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v Delta Electricity [2009] NSWLEC 11 Environment Protection Authority v Orica Australia Pty Ltd (the Ammonia Incident) [2014] NSWLEC 107 Environment Protection Authority v Port Kembla Copper Pty Ltd (2001) 115 LGERA 391; [2001] NSWLEC 174 Environment Protection Authority v Port Kembla Copper Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 256 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2015] NSWLEC 80 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation (2006) 148 LGERA 299; [2006] NSWLEC 419 Environment Protection Authority v Werris Creek Coal Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Holley [2009] NSWLEC 124 Hili v The Queen; Jones v The Queen (2010) 242 CLR 520; [2010] HCA 45 Hoare v The Queen (1989) 167 CLR 348; [1989] HCA 33 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 R v Araya (2005) 155 A Crim R 555; [2005] NSWCCA 283 R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270; [1999] HCA 54 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 Thorneloe v Filipowski (2001) 52 NSWLR 60; [2001] NSWCCA 213 Veen v The Queen (1979) 143 CLR 458; [1979] HCA 7 Veen v The Queen (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465; [1988] HCA 14 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Steggles Foods Mt Kuring-gai Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: COUNSEL: N Kelly (Prosecutor) T Howard SC (Defendant)