Ministerial Statement from NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton
The sentencing of convicted repeat waste transporter Dib Hanna sends a strong message that illegal dumping of waste will not be tolerated.
Mr Hanna pled guilty to each of five charges against him.
It is the first time the Land & Environment Court has been asked to consider jailing a “repeat waste offender” under tough new anti-dumping legislation introduced by the NSW Government in 2014.
It is an appropriate sentence for Mr Hanna, who took advantage of innocent people for his own financial benefit.
Illegal dumping, especially of asbestos waste, is a serious environmental crime and NSW has tough laws to prevent it.
Today’s result will serve as an important warning to those thinking of breaking the law.
Any behavior that flagrantly puts the health of the community and the environment at risk will not be tolerated.
Landowners should always be extremely cautious when accepting topsoil and be on the lookout for dodgy operators.
The simple message is: check that the soil you’re receiving is clean and comes from a reputable supplier.
Contact the EPA on its 24 hour alert line 131 555 if you have any doubts about the company making the offer.
This is also the best way you can report any illegal dumping.
Background
Dib Hanna pled guilty to one charge of illegal transport of waste and four counts of illegal dumping of waste including;
- In October-November 2015 for illegal dumping at East Kurrajong
- In December 2015 for illegal dumping at Llandilo
- In November - December 2015 for illegal dumping at Wallacia
- In December 2015 - January 2016 for illegal dumping at East Kurrajong
The Land and Environment Court has sentenced Dib Hanna to three years’ imprisonment. He has also been ordered to clean up the dumped waste, to publish details of the offence and to pay the EPA’s legal costs.
Mr Hanna has a non-parole period of 2 years and 3 months, ie, the earliest he can be released is 16 July 2020 as the sentence was backdated to 17 April 2017.
In late 2016, the NSW EPA prosecuted Mr Hanna for the illegal transport and dumping of waste, including asbestos, on private properties in western Sydney in 2015 and 2016. Each charge carried a maximum penalty of $250,000 and/or two years’ imprisonment.
In an exhaustive pursuit, the NSW EPA worked with the Police to have him arrested in Victoria and extradited
to NSW after he failed to appear in Court to answer the charges. This is the first time a person has been extradited in relation to environmental offences.
to NSW after he failed to appear in Court to answer the charges. This is the first time a person has been extradited in relation to environmental offences.
The Court heard that Mr Hanna had advertised free clean top soil, clay, crushed bitumen and shale and the use
of an excavation machine to various Sydney residents via a letterbox drop.
of an excavation machine to various Sydney residents via a letterbox drop.
Upon being contacted by innocent residents interested in receiving the free material, between October 2015
and January 2016 he instructed truck drivers to transport and deposit 461m3 (461,000kg) of waste, including asbestos waste, at residential properties in East Kurrajong, Llandilo and Wallacia.
and January 2016 he instructed truck drivers to transport and deposit 461m3 (461,000kg) of waste, including asbestos waste, at residential properties in East Kurrajong, Llandilo and Wallacia.
