Negligent disposal of toxic waste on a rural property over several months, causing substantial but localised environmental harm, with aggravating factors of financial gain and substantial volume, falls at the medium to upper end of objective gravity for s 115(1) POEO Act offences. A community service order of 460 hours (near the maximum) together with a $50,000 fine is an appropriate alternative to imprisonment where the offender has no prior convictions, has pleaded guilty, and has limited means. A very late guilty plea (on the first day of hearing) attracts only a 10% discount; a plea entered relatively early but not at the first opportunity attracts 20%.
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