A Western Sydney man who caused 45 truckloads of waste, including asbestos, to be dumped at a Luddenham property he rented has been fined $50,000 and ordered to pay more than $20,000 in costs.
John Cannuli was convicted and fined in Penrith Local Court after 356 tonnes of asbestos waste and more than 900 tonnes of general solid waste was found to have been transported from an excavation site in Dulwich Hill to the rental property.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) told the Court that after the waste was transported, it was spread out and compacted on a large, existing stockpile.
NSW EPA Executive Director of Regulatory Operations Carmen Dwyer said an enormous amount of dangerous asbestos-laden waste was dumped at the property in a short period.
"About 45 truckloads of waste was taken from the excavation site to the property over a period of two days, with some of these loads containing asbestos," Ms Dwyer said.
"It is critical asbestos is disposed of appropriately to protect our communities and reduce any risk of exposure.
"The Defendant was paid to dispose of the waste correctly but instead, he chose to pollute the environment and avoid any disposal fees.
"The EPA will not hesitate to act when illegal dumpers disregard the law and put our environment and community at risk."
People can report concerns regarding illegal dumping and pollution incidents to the EPA on 131 555.
All complaints made to the Environment Line are directed to EPA officers in the field so they can target those areas of most concern to the community.
Prosecutions are one of the tools the EPA uses to achieve the best environmental or human health outcomes. Our regulatory approach includes a wide variety of options.
