Business fined after asbestos and 54 tonnes of waste dumped
A business involved in dumping asbestos contaminated material, and more than 54 tonnes of waste on Bankstown roads, has been handed a $35,000 fine in court.
The waste, which included soil, wood and rubble, was dumped on Exceller Avenue and Gow Street in Bankstown over three nights in August 2024.
In some cases, the waste blocked lanes of traffic and stopped drivers from using car park spots.
To ensure public safety and restore access, City of Canterbury Bankstown was required to use $27,881 in ratepayer funds to remove the waste.
Council investigators obtained CCTV footage and conducted covert surveillance to identify the same vehicle used in all incidents.
Despite attempts to conceal the vehicle’s number plates, investigators pieced together partial details and confirmed an Auburn-based business was the registered owner.
After a fine was issued by Council staff, the matter was taken to Bankstown Local Court and on 13 November the business was convicted and fined $35,000.
The man behind the wheel of the vehicle is also facing the prospect of potential court action after Council initiated separate action to fine him and recover the costs of removing his dumped waste.
Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said the case should send shivers down the spines of anyone thinking about using the City as an illegal dumping ground.
“We have got better things to be spending ratepayers’ money on than this,” he said.
“The community is sick and tired of dealing with it and so are we. Our surveillance cameras and Council staff are regularly monitoring known illegal dumping hotspots and my message to anyone thinking about dumping is this: we will find you,it will cost you and you or your business may end up with a criminal record.
“Illegal dumping is not just unsightly – it’s dangerous, completely unacceptable and Council staff are cracking down on it.”
Residents are encouraged to report illegal dumping via the NSW EPA hotline on 131 555 or by visiting cb.city/report.