The Court finalised orders following a contested sentencing hearing, directing that the bulk of a $225,000 monetary penalty for a licence breach under s 64(1) of the POEO Act be paid to two local councils for environmental restoration projects under s 250(1)(e), with only $5,327.37 remaining as a fine. The Court rejected Sydney Water's submission that the agreed quantum of legal costs ($300,000) should be excluded from the publication notice, holding that the amount should not be secret and that there was no evidence the public would conflate costs with punishment. Investigation costs of $51,869 were also ordered under s 248(1) of the POEO Act, and detailed publication orders were made across print media and social media platforms including specific timing, pinning, and tagging requirements.
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