Upper Hunter Shire Council may not have shown up to a recent court case in Scone but the Mayor may be forced to go to court to defend a defamation lawsuit.
Last week in response to questions from us about the case with Blandford man Chris Richards…Maurice Collision made references to the illegal disposal of asbestos.
Mr Richards was incensed by the claim and said he expects written apologies from the Mayor and Council.
“This is defamatory. I am not an illegal asbestos dumper. Dumping asbestos is a criminal offence. I am not a criminal,” Mr Richards said.
“The Mayor has misled and covered up what really happened with council. If an apology is not forthcoming then I will certainly look at my legal options.”
The story erupted after we reported the council failed to attend Scone Local Court last month where Mr Richards was challenging a fine he was issued. Magistrate Kevin Hockey dismissed the fine after the council was a no show.
Mr Richards said Upper Hunter Shire Council has no evidence to prove he ever had asbestos on the property where he is renovating a house.
He said council never tested the several sheets of fibro in question nor did he, which were disposed of to the satisfaction of council.
The $4000 fine was for refusing to produce a ‘hygienist report’ six months after the council had signed off on the disposal of the fibro.
after he claims Upper Hunter Shire Council told the bin’s provider it contained asbestos. Image: Darren Cutrupi
Below: The skip bin contents after it had been dumped from the skip bin on Mr Richards Property. Image: Supplied
Mr Richards also questioned how Councillor Collison could claim not attending court cost ratepayers about the same as issuing a parking fine.
“This matter has generated a large amount of correspondence between the council and myself. Meetings, around seven sute inspectiosn witrh various council staff, council surveys, council photographs. It went through a tribunal numerous phone calls and of course the hygeinist fine, he said.
“That would certaintly add up to at least thousand of dollars.”
He added blaming a staff member being off sick for Upper Hunter Shire Council not attending court is very misleading.
Last week Mayor Maurice Collison gave that as the reason for the no-show in Scone Local Court last month.
“Council had three staff members working on this matter. all of them would be very familiar with the matter,” Mr Richards said.
“Most times when I would send an email top council regarding this matter I would cc in the other council officers.”
