Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Douglas Brian Reitano [2018] NSWLEC 198

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Douglas Brian Reitano [2018] NSWLEC 198 Hearing dates: 18 October and 3 December 2018 Date of orders: 11 December 2018 Decision date: 11 December 2018 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Robson J Decision: See verdicts at [108] Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES – defendant charged under s 156A(1)(b) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW) – offence of damaging vegetation in land reserved under the Act – alleged unauthorised tree felling in Murrumbidgee Valley National Park

CRIMINAL LAW – allegation of unauthorised logging in Murrumbidgee National Park – plea of not guilty entered – prosecution case agreed to be circumstantial – whether prosecutor has established the defendant guilty of the offence beyond reasonable doubt Legislation Cited: National Park Estate (Riverina Red Gum Reservations) Act 2010 (NSW) National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW) s 156A Cases Cited: Adelaide Chemical & Fertilizer Co Ltd v Carlyle (1940) 64 CLR 514 Astill v R (1992) 63 A Crim R 148 Edwards v The Queen (1993) 178 CLR 193; [1993] HCA 63 Shepherd v The Queen (1990) 170 CLR 573; [1990] HCA 56 Thomas v The Queen (1960) 102 CLR 584; [1960] HCA 2 Waverley Council v Tovir Investments Pty Ltd and Rappaport (No 3) [2013] NSWLEC 35 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage (Prosecutor) Douglas Brian Reitano (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: P Singleton (Prosecutor) P Blomfield, solicitor (Defendant)