Judge Robert Wolff ordered Cundy, 40, of Pyes Pa to pay $5000 to his victim's family.
Mr Zhang, 53, had been working on the foundations of his new house and was standing on the driveway talking to two other workers when he was caught by the vehicle and dragged underneath it. He died at the scene, despite attempts to resuscitate him.
During Cundy's defended hearing, police argued the way he parked uphill without following the steps advised in the Road Code, and his conduct fell below the standard of driving required of a reasonable, prudent driver.
Cundy's lawyer Rachael Adams argued her client could not have foreseen the handbrake releasing for some "unexplained or inexplicable'' reason and his driving actions that day did not meet the legal threshold test required to satisfy a criminal conviction for carelessness.
"Mr Cundy had parked up in the same way in the same place for some eight weeks without incident and otherwise he had a well-maintained vehicle with no mechanical issues.''
Judge Wolff disagreed.
He said: "I'm satisfied the elements which go to make up this charge have been proved beyond reasonable doubt.
"I am satisfied that no reasonable prudent driver would rely on a single mechanical brake as a safeguard to prevent rollback and I'm satisfied it was careless to do so.''
