Environment Protection Authority v Minto Recycling Pty Ltd [2019] NSWLEC 91

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Minto Recycling Pty Ltd [2019] NSWLEC 91 Hearing dates: 24 and 25 June 2019 Date of orders: 25 June 2019 Decision date: 25 June 2019 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Moore J Decision: Proposed exclusionary ruling rejected Catchwords: EVIDENCE – sentencing hearing for offence in breach of s 64(1) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 – guilty plea entered – proposed exclusionary ruling – did Prosecutor's written outline disclose intention to rely on evidence in breach of De Simoni principle – was proposed evidence unfairly prejudicial to Defendant – no breach of De Simoni principle – Defendant's rights to raise future objections to Prosecutor's evidence not constrained – proposed ruling rejected Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, s 21A(2)(g) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 135, 137 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, ss 64(1), 241(1)(a) Cases Cited: Cassidy v R (2012) A Crim R 420 Environment Protection Authority v Orica Australia PtyLtd (the Nitric Acid Air Lift Incident) [2014] NSWLEC 103 Environment Protection Authority v Wollondilly Abattoirs Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Davis [2019] NSWLEC 26 Harris v Harrison [2014] NSWCCA 84 Mosman Municipal Council v Menai Excavations Pty Ltd (2002) 122 LGERA 89; [2002] NSWLEC 132 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council (2006) 145 LGERA 189; [2006] NSWLEC 242 The Queen v De Simoni (1981) 147 CLR 383; [1981] HCA 31 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Minto Recycling Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr P English (Prosecutor) Mr P Larkin SC/Ms S Ross (Defendant)