Maitland City Council has fined Newcastle councillor and celebrity jockey Allan Robinson for illegally burning building demolition waste on a property at Louth Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Fire and Rescue NSW and Maitland council’s development and environment manager David Simm have confirmed that Mr Robinson has been issued with fines, including one for $1000, for burning the waste.
Mr Simm said agencies had been called to “Parkview” at 57 Ross Lane, Louth Park. The property is owned by Robbor Pty Ltd, which has a Warabrook address.
Fairfax Media was unable to contact Mr Robinson for comment.
Both agencies confirmed air-conditioning units, building panelling and treated pine logs had been set alight on the property.
A spokesman for Fire and Rescue NSW said the major concern had been the burning of treated pine logs, which contain arsenic and give off toxic gasses when set alight.
He said firefighters had to wear breathing apparatus to avoid toxic fumes at the site.
The spokesman said FRNSW had attended the Louth Park property six times since April.
On one occasion police were called to order the removal of a truck parked across a gate, which prevented access to the site.
The FRNSW spokesman said calls to the site had tied up resources and, at times, more than one brigade was involved.
“Mr Robinson has come on site when we have been there and has been told by officers what he can and can’t burn,” the spokesman said.
Mr Simm said the council had issued Mr Robinson with fines, including one totalling about $1000.
“The fines relate to the burning of certain building waste, which should be disposed of at our Mount Vincent waste disposal facility,” Mr Simm said.
“The burning of treated pine logs is a definite no-no. We have had to deal with a number of issues with Mr Robinson in this regard and if the offences keep occurring then there will be an order to go to court.”
Maitland councillor Henry Meskauskas, who flagged the problem with Mr Simm, said that as a civic leader, Mr Robinson should know better.
“As a councillor you would think he would understand the rules and regulations,” Cr Meskauskas said.
"If he wants to burn stuff he should abide by the proper procedures, and get out of Maitland and do it in Newcastle where he belongs.”
