By the Numbers – AU Historic trial: Farmer fined $400k for land clearing
One of Australia’s biggest cases of illegal land clearing has resulted in a $408,000 fine for a New South Wales landowner.
By environment reporter Shane McLeod
Posted Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:46am AEDT
Updated Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:03pm AEDT
The wetlands by the Gwydir River are a crucial breeding area for migratory birds. (User submitted: Wendy Bunce)
Map: Moree 2400
One of Australia’s biggest cases of illegal land clearing has resulted in a $408,000 fine for a New South Wales landowner.
Farmer John Ross Hudson bulldozed 450 hectares of wetlands that are important breeding grounds for migratory birds on the Gwydir River in north-west NSW.
In the largest successful prosecution for illegal land clearing in NSW history, the Land and Environment Court this morning convicted Hudson on two counts of breaching the Native Vegetation Act.
Wildnerness Society spokeswoman Cecile van der Burgh says the conviction and punishment are a clear victory for the State Government.
“This type of environmental vandalism will no longer be tolerated in New South Wales,” she said.
“It was in one of the most critically endangered wetlands of the state, the Gwydir Wetlands, which are adjacent to internationally significant Ramsar sites.
“They’re listed on an international list for protection.”
The land that Hudson cleared in 2006 and 2007 is in one of the Murray-Darling Basin’s key catchment areas.
Hudson was not represented in court for today’s decision.
To read the original article online, click here.
