GUILTY PLEA IN WASTE DUMPING CASE

In the Land and Environment Court today, Mr Paul Mouawad pleaded guilty to two charges brought by the NSW Environment Protection Authority of knowingly supplying false or misleading information in relation to the transport and disposal of waste.

The EPA alleges that in June and July 2016, Mr Mouawad and Aussie Earthmovers Pty Ltd removed about 1,400 tonnes of asbestos contaminated soil from a building site in Darlington in central Sydney.

The EPA also alleges Mr Mouawad and Aussie Earthmovers knowingly supplied false information about where the asbestos contaminated soil was transported to and disposed of.

Environment Minster Gabrielle Upton said the prosecutions are one part of the EPA’s ongoing investigations and compliance work related to the matter.

“The other prosecutions against Mr Mouawad and Aussie Earthmovers Pty Ltd will be heard by the Land and Environment Court from 1-3 April 2019,” Ms Upton said.

“If convicted, the maximum penalty the Court may impose for supplying false or misleading information against an person is a fine of up to $240,000 or imprisonment for 18 months, or both.”

During today’s court appearance Mr Mouawad also entered pleas of not guilty on three separate charges relating to the alleged transport and disposal of waste at Arcadia in northern Sydney last year, she said.

“The EPA’s new Waste Crime Taskforce targets the most serious and complex waste-related crimes and organised criminal behaviour and the guilty plea is a welcome outcome,” she said. 

The NSW Government passed new laws this week creating a new standalone offence for asbestos dumping which will attract the highest level of penalties and apply to directors and managers - $5 million for a company and $500,000 for an individual.

“These higher penalties make it clear the NSW Government has a no tolerance policy when it comes to illegal waste dumping,” Ms Upton said.