Environment Protection Authority v Hardman Chemicals Pty Ltd [2020] NSWLEC 8

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Hardman Chemicals Pty Ltd [2020] NSWLEC 8 Hearing dates: 12 February 2020 Date of orders: 13 February 2020 Decision date: 13 February 2020 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Robson J Decision: See orders at [109] Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES – sentence – offence under s 64(1) of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) – breach of licence condition – failure to carry out licensed activity in competent manner resulting in emission of chlorine gas into atmosphere – plea of guilty – actual and substantial harm caused – determination of appropriate penalties Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 3A, 21A, 22 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) ss 3, 64, 241, 250, Sch 1 cl 8 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 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 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 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) 248 CLR 483; [2013] HCA 31 Environment Protection Authority v Ballina Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 289; (2006) 148 LGERA 278 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v Borg Panels Pty Ltd [2016] NSWLEC 71 Environment Protection Authority v Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Pty Ltd [2017] NSWLEC 64 Environment Protection Authority v Environmental Treatment Solutions [2015] NSWLEC 160 Environment Protection Authority v GrainCorp Operations Limited [2019] NSWLEC 143 Environment Protection Authority v Huntsman Corporation Australia Pty Ltd [2011] NSWLEC 39 Environment Protection Authority v Morgan Cement International Pty Ltd [2016] NSWLEC 140 Environment Protection Authority v Nulon Products Australia Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 153 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 Limited [2019] NSWLEC 27; (2019) 239 LGERA 31 Environmental Protection Authority v Orica Australia Pty Ltd (the Nitric Acid Air Lift Incident) [2014] NSWLEC 103; (2014) 206 LGERA 239 Gittany Constructions Pty Limited v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242; (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Harris v Harrison (2014) 86 NSWLR 422; [2014] NSWCCA 84 R v DP [2019] NSWCCA 55 Water NSW v Barlow [2019] NSWLEC 30 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Hardman Chemicals Pty Ltd (ACN 167 987 064) (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: C Trahanas (Prosecutor) M J Astill (Defendant)