The maximum penalty for the offence was $120,000.
Classic. The cost of doing business. Pay $120,000 and you can do whatever you want with impunity.
Wouldn’t it be nice if fines were based on the past/present/potential revenue (not profit) from the location where the offending took place?
Dig a trench on an archaeological site without permissin? Pay the full amount your business case said you might ever receive from the work you were making the trench for.
Drink drive? Instantly lose the vehicle you were driving.
Knowingly breaking the law should have extra penalties, I.e. corporate death penalties should be commonplace for those who knowingly break the law.
“congratulations, as the director of the company responsible you are now on the hook for the ongoing restoration and maintenance for the next 20 years”
Exactly! If it’s not already, breaking the law should be an examption to the whole concept of a limited-liability company - so you can’t just shut down the company and move on to another.
