Alex Haddad failed to front Tamworth local court yesterday morning for a hearing on charges of dumping asbestos and failing to demolish or a remove a building contrary to order, after Tamworth regional council initiated legal proceedings against him in court.

The Australian actor unsuccessfully tried to have the hearing adjourned after submitting a letter from a doctor saying he was "unfit" for court, but it was disputed by prosecutors for the council.

Barrister Ben Clarke and solicitor George Hoddle had tried to call the doctor in question to cross-examine him on Haddad’s condition but he did not appear yesterday and provided no medical evidence to the court on the 42-year-old’s condition.

At the same time as the court proceedings were unfolding, Haddad posted a photo of himself on social media, adding “It’s always a sunny day in Hollywood,” as well as a second cryptic post that he couldn’t be in two places at once.

He contacted The Leader yesterday, saying he would “reveal everything” and asked what had happened at court.

“I’m extremely anxious about it all. 

And once my anxiety is over I’ll be suing council,” he told The Leader in a series of messages.

When told of the outcome, he did not respond.

Magistrate Michael Holmes told the court he “wasn’t happy” at Haddad’s failure to attend and after examining the brief of evidence, he said council had been “very reasonable” in its conduct.

“It’s quite clear there has been delaying tactics right through,” he said.

“His conduct has been one of evasion. It’s described loosely as cowboy behaviour.”

The court proceedings were triggered when Haddad failed to comply with clean up and demolishing orders at his Coledale investment property, and followed the illegal dumping of asbestos in Green St.

Council was forced to hire contractors to clean up the mess, and yesterday the court heard council had outlayed $54,001 on remedial clean up works including removing the asbestos and fencing off the area.

“This particular council bent over backwards for Mr Haddad,” Mr Clark told the court.

“The council had given him numerous warnings and extensions of time ... Mr Haddad chose to go down the cheapest path.”

Mr Clarke said the maximum penalty for the charges was $100,000 in the local court.

He said the breaches were serious and general deterrence “looms large” because the community is aware of “just how deadly asbestos can be”.

“There has been no remorse or contrition shown,” he said.

Mr Holmes ordered Haddad to pay $54,000 in compensation to Tamworth Regional Council and $18,000 in costs, on top of $150,000 in fines for the three charges.

“I’m satisfied there is sufficient evidence for a conviction to be entered and a conviction is recorded on an ex-parte basis,” he said.

“This has an enormous impact on the community. It affects public health.”

Haddad has 28 days to pay the fines and compensation.