Environment Protection Authority v Geagea [2023] NSWLEC 125

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Geagea [2023] NSWLEC 125 Hearing dates: 7 September 2023 Date of orders: 17 November 2023 Decision date: 17 November 2023 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Preston CJ Decision: Orders at [59] Catchwords: OFFENCES AND PENALTIES – sentence – conspiring to supply information about waste knowing it to be false or misleading – false waste delivery dockets – objective seriousness of offence – contrary to legislative objects and regulatory scheme – potential environmental harm – practical measures to prevent foreseeable harm – control over causes – offence in lower end of mid-range – subjective circumstances of offender – earlier guilty plea – no previous convictions – good character – some assistance to authorities – remorse – unlikely to re-offend – publication order Legislation Cited: Court Suppression and Non-Publication Order Act 2010 (NSW) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 21A(2), 21A(3), 22(1), 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) ss 257B, 257G Fines Act 1996 (NSW) s 122(1) Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 NSW ss 144AA(2), 168(1)(c), 241(1), 250(1)(a) Cases Cited: Environment Protection Authority v Complete Asbestos Removal Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Endacott (2016) 221 LGERA 24; [2016] NSWLEC 167 Environment Protection Authority v Mouawad (No 2); Environment Protection Authority v Aussie Earthmovers Pty Ltd (No 3) (2020) 247 LGERA 23; [2020] NSWLEC 166 Hewitt v R (2007) 180 A Crim R 306; [2007] NSWCCA 353 Knight v The Queen [2010] NSWCCA 51 Morton v R [2014] NSWCCA 8 NCR Australia v Credit Connection [2005] NSWSC 1118 R v Borkowski (2009) 195 A Crim R 1; [2009] NSWCCA 102 R v Ehrlich (2012) 219 A Crim R 415; [2012] NSWCCA 38 R v Thompson and Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Mr Dani Geagea (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr D Jordan (Prosecutor) Mr S Stanton (Defendant)