Ku-ring-gai Council v John David Chia (No 16) [2019] NSWLEC 184

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Ku-ring-gai Council v John David Chia (No 16) [2019] NSWLEC 184 Hearing dates: 19 August 2019 Date of orders: 29 November 2019 Decision date: 29 November 2019 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Robson J Decision: The Court orders: (1) John David Chia is convicted of the offence as charged. (2) John David Chia is fined the sum of $40,000. (3) John David Chia is to pay the prosecutor's costs of the proceedings in the amount as may be determined under section 257G of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW). Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCE – sentence – offence under s 125(1) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) – offender directed the lopping of trees contrary to a tree preservation order – plea of not guilty – determination of appropriate penalty Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 3A, 10, 19, 21A Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) ss 5, 125, 126 Fines Act 1996 (NSW) ss 4, 6 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW) Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Ballina Shire Council v Watson [2006] NSWLEC 827 Bankstown City Council v Hanna [2014] NSWLEC 152; (2014) 205 LGERA 39 Byron Shire Council v Fletcher [2005] NSWLEC 706; (2005) 143 LGERA 155 Cameron v Eurobodalla Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 47; (2006) 146 LGERA 349 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683; (1993) 82 LGERA 21 Cessnock City Council v Bimbadgen Estate Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] NSWLEC 140 Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Cory Ian Turnbull [2017] NSWLEC 140; (2017) 227 LGERA 290 Chief Executive, Office of Environment & Heritage v Orica Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Orica Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 109 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Brummell [2019] NSWLEC 114 Council of Camden v Tax [2004] NSWLEC 448; (2004) 137 LGERA 368 Council of City of Shoalhaven v Wilson [2015] NSWLEC 93 Council of the City of Sydney v Adams [2015] NSWLEC 206 Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) (Cth) v De La Rosa (2010) 79 NSWLR 1; [2010] NSWCCA 194 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v Capdate Pty Ltd (1993) 78 LGERA 349 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 Eurobodalla Shire Council v Wheelhouse [2006] NSWLEC 98 Garrett v Williams [2006] NSWLEC 785; (2006) 160 LGERA 115 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242; (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Gore v R; Hunter v R [2010] NSWCCA 330; (2010) 208 A Crim R 353 Green v R; Quinn v R (2011) 244 CLR 462; [2011] HCA 49 Hornsby Shire Council v Henlong Property Group Pty Ltd (No 2) [2019] NSWLEC 17 Hurstville City Council v Naumcevski [2011] NSWLEC 226 Ku-ring-gai Council v Edgar [2017] NSWLEC 49 Ku-ring-gai Council v John David Chia (No 15) [2019] NSWLEC 1 Ku-ring-gai Council v Nettcorp Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 203 Lowe v The Queen (1984) 154 CLR 606; [1984] HCA 46 Newcastle City Council v Pepperwood Ridge Pty Ltd [2004] NSWLEC 218; (2004) 132 LGERA 388 Pittwater Council v Scahill [2009] NSWLEC 12; (2009) 165 LGERA 289 R v DP [2019] NSWCCA 55 R v Engert (1995) 84 A Crim R 67 R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270; [1999] HCA 54 R v Paris [2001] NSWCCA 83 R v Rahme (1989) 43 A Crim R 81 R v Wickham [2004] NSWCCA 193 R v Wright (1997) 93 A Crim R 48 Sutherland Shire Council v Nustas [2004] NSWLEC 608 Texts Cited: NSW Rural Fire Service, "10/50 Vegetation Clearing Code of Practice for New South Wales" Category: Sentence Parties: Ku-ring-gai Council (Prosecutor) John David Chia (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: T G Howard SC (Prosecutor) D A Priestley SC (Defendant)