Environment Protection Authority v GrainCorp Operations Limited [2019] NSWLEC 143

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v GrainCorp Operations Limited [2019] NSWLEC 143 Hearing dates: 10 September 2019 Date of orders: 01 October 2019 Decision date: 01 October 2019 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: See orders at [233]. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES: breach of environmental protection license condition – plea of guilty – incorrect calculation of emission rate of methyl bromide and phosphine during fumigation – sentencing principles – determination of the objective seriousness of the offence – no actual environmental harm – low potential for harm to the environment and human health – subjective circumstances of the defendant – no prior convictions – discount for early guilty plea – assistance to authorities – comparable cases – monetary penalty imposed – publication orders made, including on social media – costs ordered. Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A, Div 1, Sch 1 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, ss 257B, 257G Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, ss 3, 64, 66, 120, 241, 250, Pt 5.4 Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 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 and Heritage v Orica Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Orica Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 109 Director-General of the Department of Environment and Climate Change v Rae [2009] NSWLEC 137; (2009) 168 LGERA 121 Elias v The Queen; Issa v The Queen [2013] HCA 31; (2013) 248 CLR 483 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWLEC 214 Environment Protection Authority v Caltex Refineries (NSW) Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 194 Environment Protection Authority v Causmag Ore Company Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 58 Environment Protection Authority v Coastal Recycled Cooking Oils Pty Ltd [2008] NSWLEC 242 Environment Protection Authority v Crown in the Right of New South Wales (Office of Environment and Heritage) [2019] NSWLEC 66 Environment Protection Authority v New South Wales (Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water) [2010] NSWLEC 67; (2010) 174 LGERA 19 Environment Protection Authority v Orica Australia Pty Ltd (the Jackhammer Incident) [2014] NSWLEC 105 Environment Protection Authority v Orica Australia Pty Ltd (the Nitric Acid Air Lift Incident) [2014] NSWLEC 103; (2014) 206 LGERA 239 Environment Protection Authority v Ravensworth Operations Pty Ltd [2012] NSWLEC 222 Environment Protection Authority v Ridley AgriProducts Pty Limited [2019] NSWLEC 119 Environment Protection Authority v Sydney Water Corporation [2019] NSWLEC 100 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419; (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Environment Protection Authority v Whitehaven Coal Mining Ltd [2019] NSWLEC 27 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242; (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Gore v The Queen; Hunter v The Queen [2010] NSWCCA 330; (2010) 208 A Crim R 353 Harris v Harrison [2014] NSWCCA 84; (2014) 86 NSWLR 422 Hoare v The Queen [1989] HCA 33; (1989) 167 CLR 348 Liverpool City Council v Leppington Pastoral Co Pty Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 170 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 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 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 Olbrich [1999] HCA 54; (1999) 199 CLR 270 R v Oliver (1980) 7 A Crim R 174 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Veen v The Queen [1979] HCA 7; (1979) 143 CLR 458 Veen v The Queen (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 Walden v Hensler [1987] HCA 54; (1987) 163 CLR 561 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) GrainCorp Operations Limited (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Ms J Single (Prosecutor) Mr T Howard SC (Defendant)