Environment Protection Authority v John Michelin & Son Pty Ltd [2019] NSWLEC 88

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v John Michelin & Son Pty Ltd [2019] NSWLEC 88 Hearing dates: 5 and 6 June 2019 Date of orders: 19 June 2019 Decision date: 19 June 2019 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: See orders at [224]. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCE: pollution of waters – plea of guilty – discharge of sediment laden water into a drain – sentencing principles – determination of the objective seriousness of the offence – extent of harm – whether the rule in Browne v Dunn applies in criminal proceedings – consideration of the subjective circumstances of the defendant – no prior convictions – discount for early guilty plea – assistance to authorities – examination of comparable cases – monetary penalty imposed – costs order made. Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A(2) and (3), 22, 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, s 257G Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, ss 64, 116, 120, 241, 248, 250 Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bale v Mills [2011] NSWCA 226; (2011) 81 NSWLR 498 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 Cabonne Shire Council v Environment Protection Authority [2001] NSWCCA 280; (2001) 115 LGERA 304 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Chief Executive, Office of Environment & Heritage v Orica Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Orica Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 109 Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority [2017] NSWCCA 302; (2017) 228 LGERA 55 Elias v The Queen [2013] HCA 31; (2013) 248 CLR 483 Environment Protection Authority v Ardent Leisure Ltd [2018] NSWLEC 36 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v Borg Panels Pty Ltd [2016] NSWLEC 71 Environment Protection Authority v Chillana Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 255 Environment Protection Authority v Crown in the Right of New South Wales (Office of Environment and Heritage) [2019] NSWLEC 66 Environment Protection Authority v Ecolab Pty Limited [2002] NSWLEC 206; (2002) 123 LGERA 269 Environment Protection Authority v Elf Farm Supplies Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 60 Environment Protection Authority v Fulton Hogan Pty Ltd (2008) 163 LGERA 354; [2008] NSWLEC 268 Environment Protection Authority v Greater Taree City Council [2014] NSWLEC 88 Environment Protection Authority v Hunter Water Corp [2016] NSWLEC 76 Environment Protection Authority v P&M Quality Smallgoods Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v JBS Australia Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 89 Environment Protection Authority v Queanbeyan City Council (No 3) [2012] NSWLEC 220; (2012) 192 LGERA 415 Environment Protection Authority v Ravensworth Operations Pty Limited [2012] NSWLEC 222 Environment Protection Authority v Snowy Hydro Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 264; (2008) 162 LGERA 273 Environment Protection Authority v Tea Garden Farms Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 89 Environment Protection Authority v Wambo Coal Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 152 Environment Protection Authority v Warkworth Mining Limited [2017] NSWLEC 107 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419; (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Environment Protection Authority v Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited [2019] NSWLEC 27 Harris v Harrison [2014] NSWCCA 84; 86 NSWLR 422 Hoare v The Queen [1989] HCA 33; (1989) 167 CLR 348 Khamis v The Queen [2010] NSWCCA 179; (2010) 203 A Crim R 121 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles [2001] NSWCA 305; (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 MJW v The Queen [2005] HCA 74; (2005) 222 ALR 436 Muldrock v The Queen [2011] HCA 39; (2011) 244 CLR 120 Newcastle City Council v Pace Farm Egg Products Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 66 Plath v Rawson [2009] NSWLEC 178; (2009) 170 LGERA 253 R v Birks (1990) 19 NSWLR 677 R v De Simoni [1981] HCA 31; (1981) 147 CLR 383 R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349 R v Nichols (1991) 57 A Crim R 391 R v Oliver (1980) 7 A Crim R 174 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 RWB v The Queen [2010] NSWCCA 147; (2010) 202 A Crim R 209 Ryan v The Queen [2001] HCA 21; (2001) 206 CLR 267 State Pollution Control Commission v The Electricity Commission of New South Wales [1991] NSWLEC 106 Veen v The Queen [1979] HCA 7; (1979) 143 CLR 458 Veen v The Queen (No 2) [1988] HCA 1; (1988) 164 CLR 465 Walden v Hensler [1987] HCA 54; (1987) 163 CLR 561 Texts Cited: Australia and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) John Michelin & Son Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Ms S Ella (Solicitor) (Prosecutor) Mr J Johnson (Defendant)