'Absolute disgrace': asbestos dumped outside childcare centres - Sydney Morning Herald

Key features ... identifying marks on the dump truck. Photo: Supplied

A truck driver captured on CCTV illegally dumping more than two tonnes of asbestos outside two childcare centres has been branded "an absolute disgrace" by the City of Sydney, which has released the footage in a bid to identify him.

Security cameras captured the truck as it travelled along Wattle Lane in Ultimo on Friday, December 14, with its tipping tray and rear gate open.

This allowed the asbestos to fall onto the road next to a playground after the truck passed over two speed bumps.

The truck drops its toxic load in the laneway. Photo: Supplied

A passer-by sounded the alarm and the site was quickly sealed off – prompting a two-day, $13,000 clean-up by toxic waste specialists and a three-month investigation, which has so far been unable to locate the person responsible.

Security footage shows the truck, which drove through the area once before returning to dump the waste, had a piece of cloth over the numberplate, in an apparent bid to avoid detection.

The city's director of operations, Garry Harding, said the driver's actions put the lives of children at risk.

“Anyone who sees this footage will be outraged by it," he said. "This man showed a complete disregard for the children's safety and there is simply no excuse. To do it in broad daylight right near two childcare centres is an absolute disgrace.

"We would urge the driver of this truck to come forward. We'd like to hear his side of the story."

Mr Harding said the city had identified the make and model of the offending vehicle, as well as some distinguishing marks and features, "but we have few other clues to go on".

A examination of nearby construction sites or development applications had also failed to turn up any leads.

"Since the dump occurred, city rangers have spent literally hundreds of hours trying to identify the person responsible for this really despicable act," he said. "We've come to a bit of a dead end with it."

The city is now calling on any members of the public that recognise the white Daihatsu Delta, which was fitted with a non-standard bar that had been welded across the top of the tip tray. It also had a large crack near the driver's door when the tray is down and visible scratches on the tray and door on the driver's side.

Mr Harding likened the task to "trying to find a needle in a haystack".

"Our teams have been trying to locate this truck without tipping off the owner and possibly compromising the case," he said. "It's time to enlist the help of the people of Sydney."

Dumping asbestos carries a maximum penalty of a $1 million fine and seven years' imprisonment for individuals and a $5 million fine for corporations.

Anyone with information on the truck is asked to phone 02 9265 9333 or email council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au