Truck driver slapped with big fine for dumping asbestos in Clemton Park
A trucker has copped a huge fine for illegally dumping asbestos waste near homes in southwest Sydney. Find out how he got caught.
The Express
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Dumping asbestos waste illegally has proved very expensive for a truck driver with a court fining him more than $50,000.
Charles Mokbel demolished a burned down shed containing asbestos at a house in Belmore Park on March 7, 2018, according to the Environment Protection Authority.
“He loaded the waste into a tipper truck without covering the load, and then drove to Hillside Ave in Clemton Park,” an EPA spokesman said.
“Without getting out of the truck, he dumped the waste onto the road close to residential dwellings.
“A witness reported the incident and the NSW Environment Protection Authority investigated.”
He pleaded guilty in Burwood Local Court on Monday, November 25.
Magistrate Alison Viney in her sentencing, said Mokbel knew that dumping the waste was unlawful and that he was reckless as to whether the waste contained asbestos.
She said it was clear that Mokbel was trying to avoid disposal costs and that it was only by good fortune the waste was contained quickly.
Mokbel was fined $22,000 for unlawfully transporting and dumping waste and $5,200 for not covering the transported load.
He was also ordered to pay the EPA’s legal costs of $16,000 and clean-up and investigation costs of $6,967.
EPA Director Waste Compliance Greg Sheehy said dumping asbestos illegally was potentially harmful to the community and the environment.
“This prosecution and conviction sends a clear message – if you think you can get away with illegal dumping, think again,” he said.
“The EPA is actively pursuing offenders, and we will prosecute.”