More than 30 creditors have been left with unpaid bills totalling more than $6.7m after a Highlands-based solicitor declared bankruptcy.
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Paul Gerard O'Shanassy of Range Road, Mittagong, declared bankruptcy on February 4 with a total creditor tally of $6,789,764.
Creditors disclosed on a Statement of Affairs include the NSW Land and Environment Court C/O NV Lawyers who are owed $110,056 and Wingecarribee Shire Council which has been left with a debt of $446,359.
These debts related to legal proceedings taken out against Mr O'Shanassy, in which he was convicted for breaching the Environmental Planning Assessment Act as he was found to have carried out earthworks on his property, Lot 11, without development consent from council. O'Shanassy pleaded guilty to the charge in the Land and Environment Court on May 21, 2014.
Court documents said OShanassy carried out earthworks on the land which involved the excavation of clay and rock in excess of 10,000 cubic metres with heavy machinery and included the removal of about six to nine large eucalyptus trees, smaller trees and vegetation.
The removal of trees and vegetation caused a loss of amenity for neighbouring property, Lot 4, which was then owned by Joe Lorincz. Court documents said the unlawful development had a deleterious effect on the Lorinczs as a result of the flow of water from the earthworks onto the Lorinczs property and driveway and under their house.
Mr Lorincz is listed as a creditor owed $3775 in O'Shanassy's notification of bankruptcy.
According to the creditors' list two schools, one in the Southern Highlands, are owed a total $50,787, the National Australia Bank has been left with a debt of $2,386,230 and the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation is owed $387.986.
Two companies, of which O'Shanassy is identified as the managing director, are also listed as creditors. Agility Legal Pty Ltd (owed $283,970) and Sagacious Holdings Pty Ltd (owed $2,330,000).
Trustee for the estate is Sydney-based firm William Buck.
It is the second time the solicitor has declared bankruptcy. He was previously listed on the National Personal Insolvency Index on December 15, 1992.
- with Vera Demertzis
