Environment Protection Authority v Elmustapha [2023] NSWLEC 143

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Elmustapha [2023] NSWLEC 143 Hearing dates: 5 December 2023 Date of orders: 14 December 2023 Decision date: 14 December 2023 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pepper J Decision: See orders at [120]. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES: pleas of guilty to six offences concerning the supply of false or misleading information about waste – applicable sentencing principles – whether offences committed intentionally – environmental harm caused by the commission of the offences – whether offences were committed for financial gain – whether maximum discount to be awarded for early pleas of guilty – publication order made – fines imposed. Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A, 23 Criminal Procedure Act 1986, ss 257B, 257G Environment Operations Amendment (Illegal Waste Disposal) Act 2013 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, s 4.55(2) Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, ss 3, 88, 144, 144AA, 169A, 193, 212A, 241, 250(1)(a) Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment Act 2005 Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Asbestos Waste) Act 2018 Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014, cl 22 Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environmental 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 Chief Executive, Office of Environment & Heritage v Orica Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Orica Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 109 Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage v Brummell [2019] NSWLEC 114 Elias v The Queen [2013] HCA 31; (2013) 248 CLR 483 Environment Protection Authority v Aargus Pty Ltd; Kariotoglou; Kelly [2013] NSWLEC 19 Environment Protection Authority v Abbas (also known as Osama Abbas) [2021] NSWLEC 57 Environment Protection Authority v ACE Demolition & Excavation Pty (No 2) [2023] NSWLEC 3 Environment Protection Authority v Afram [2022] NSWLEC 38 Environment Protection Authority v Ashmore [2014] NSWLEC 136 Environment Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Environment Protection Authority v Crown in the Right of New South Wales (Office of Environment and Heritage) [2019] NSWLEC 66 Environment Protection Authority v Laison [2018] NSWLEC 76 Environment Protection Authority v M A Roche Group Pty Ltd [2015] NSWLEC 29 Environment Protection Authority v M A Roche Group Pty Ltd; Roche [2013] NSWLEC 191 Environment Protection Authority v Mouawad (No 2); Aussie Earthmovers Pty Ltd (No 3) [2020] NSWLEC 166 Environment Protection Authority v Rands [2019] NSWLEC 23 Environment Protection Authority v Ravensworth Operations Pty Limited [2012] NSWLEC 222 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 Environmental Protection Authority v Dirt Doctors Geotechnical Testing Services Pty Limited (Local Court no. 2021/249896) Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242; (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Harrison v Perdikaris [2015] NSWLEC 99 Hoare v The Queen [1989] HCA 33; (1989) 167 CLR 348 Johnson v The Queen [2004] HCA 15; (2004) 78 ALJR 616 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Mill v The Queen [1988] HCA 70; (1988) 166 CLR 59 Mouawad v The Hills Shire Council [2013] NSWLEC 165; (2013) 199 LGERA 28 Muldrock v The Queen [2011] HCA 39; (2011) 244 CLR 120 Newcastle City Council v Pace Farm Egg Products Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 66 Plath v Rawson [2009] NSWLEC 178; (2009) 170 LGERA 253 R v De Simoni [1981] HCA 31; (1981) 147 CLR 383 R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349 at 354 R v MAK; R v K [2006] NSWCCA 381; 167 A Crim R 159 R v Nichols (1991) 57 A Crim R 391 R v Oliver (1980) 7 A Crim R 174 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Veen v The Queen [1979] HCA 7; (1979) 143 CLR 458 Veen v The Queen (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 Walden v Hensler [1987] HCA 54; (1987) 163 CLR 561 Texts Cited: Legislative Assembly, 8 November 2005, Hansard p 19142 Legislative Assembly, 28 August 2013, Hansard p 22845-22847 Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Ibrahim Elmustapha (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: A F Garsia (Prosecutor) T Poisel (Defendant)