Environment Protection Authority v Orica Australia Pty Ltd (the Nitric Acid Air Lift Incident)

This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the decision for a list of the amendments. Land and Environment Court New South Wales Case Title: Environment Protection Authority v Orica Australia Pty Ltd (the Nitric Acid Air Lift Incident) Medium Neutral Citation: [2014] NSWLEC 103 Hearing Date(s): 5, 6, 10 and 12 December 2012 and 20 May 2013 Decision Date: 28 July 2014 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: See orders at [261]. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES: offences under Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 - breach of licence condition - failure to maintain plant and equipment in a proper and efficient condition - pollution of waters - sentencing principles - application of De Simoni principle - application of totality principle - determination of appropriate sentence. Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A, 22, 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, ss 257B, 257G Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, s 125 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, ss 3, 64, 115, 116, 120, 241, 248, 250(1) 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 Cassidy v R [2012] NSWCCA 68; (2012) 220 A Crim 420 Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage v Rinaldo (Nino) Lani [2012]...