Dumped Cars And Asbestos Revealed
Newcastle Herald
Monday November 20, 2006
POLICE have found more than 100 abandoned vehicles and an illegal asbestos dump near Cessnock.
More than 45 sites were discovered during Operation Recovery at the weekend.Lower Hunter Police Chief Inspector Greg Lindsell said most of the sites had two or three dumped vehicles. Three illegal rubbish dumps were found, including an asbestos site, he said.NRMA officials were on hand to investigate whether any of the vehicles were involved in insurance fraud."The stolen vehicles have been burnt out, so there's not much chance of getting an offender through forensics," Chief Inspector Lindsell said.Numerous trail bike riders were stopped for riding illegally on private property.Nine riders were issued with infringement notices for offences including being unlicensed, unregistered and uninsured.The operation covered Kurri Kurri, Weston and Cessnock.It aimed to recover stolen motor vehicles, target unlawful trail-bike use and find illegal rubbish dumps.A helicopter, four-wheel-drives and trail bikes were used.Police from Maitland, Newcastle, Waratah and Lake Macquarie were involved, along with 50 volunteers.Agencies that contributed included the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Cessnock Rural Fire Service, State Forests, the Lands Department and Cessnock City Council.
© 2006 Newcastle Herald