Environment Protection Authority v Ditchfield Contracting Pty Limited [2018] NSWLEC 90

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Ditchfield Contracting Pty Limited [2018] NSWLEC 90 Hearing dates: 24 May 2018 Date of orders: 05 July 2018 Decision date: 14 June 2018 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Preston CJ Decision: See orders at [78] (Preston CJ) and [79]-[80] (Robson J) Catchwords: OFFENCES AND PENALTIES – sentence – pollution of waters – spill of diesel into creek – low objective seriousness – actual environmental harm of limited extent and duration – foreseeability of risk of environmental harm – practical measures to avoid environmental harm not taken – control over causes giving rise to the offence – subjective circumstances of offender – no prior convictions – early plea of guilty – remorse for offence – good corporate character – unlikely to reoffend – assistance to authorities – penalty of payment to Environmental Trust – publication order – costs order Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 ss 3A, 21A, 22, 23 Environmental Trust Act 1998 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 ss 120, 241(1), 250(1) Criminal Procedure Act 1986 Pt 5 Div 2A, ss 257B, 257G Cases Cited: Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (2017) 228 LGERA 55; [2017] NSWCCA 302 Environment Protection Authority v Ardent Leisure Ltd [2018] NSWLEC 36 Environment Protection Authority v Borg Panels Pty Ltd [2016] NSWLEC 71 Environment Protection Authority v Hanson Precast Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 285 Environment Protection Authority v Hawkesbury City Council [2017] NSWLEC 39 Environment Protection Authority v KBL Mining Ltd [2014] NSWLEC 178 Environment Protection Authority v Pipeline Drillers Group Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 18 Environment Protection Authority v Straits (Hillgrove) Gold Pty Ltd (2010) 174 LGERA 314; [2010] NSWLEC 114 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 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Ditchfield Contracting Pty Limited (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr D Beaufils (Prosecutor) Mr R Fox (Defendant)