Outback Wrangler Matt Wright allegedly continued to use Virginia home like a chopper landing strip, despite tribunal ruling

A reality television star is accused of using his home like an aircraft landing strip, despite a tribunal barring him from taking off near his neighbours. Read the latest from court.

Darwin Local Court heard that Outback Wrangler Matt Wright was charged with using the land at his Virginia home contrary to the Planning Act and contravening a permit. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Embattled Northern Territory reality television star Matt Wright is locked in a fresh chopper drama, after allegedly treating his Top End home like a helicopter landing pad.

Darwin Local Court heard Outback Wrangler Matt Wright was charged with using the land at his Virginia home contrary to the Planning Act and contravening a permit.

It was alleged that between April 26 and May 8, 2024 Mr Wright used his helicopters on his Virginia property, in violation of a NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruling.

Mr Wright’s neighbours complained to the development authority, after the celebrity used his choppers like a “motor vehicle” flying in and out of the property at a whim.

Mr Wright’s neighbours complained to the development authorities, after Matt Wright used his choppers like a “motor vehicle” flying in and out of the property at a whim

The Development Consent Authority issued the couple with an enforcement notice in 2021, with the Wrights appealing the case to NTCAT.

But in October last year, tribunal president Mark O’Reilly ruled the enforcement notice was reasonable, and the Wrights did not have permission to use their property like an aircraft landing strip.

It is alleged despite this ruling, the Wrights continued to use their helicopters in the rural living zoned area.

Prosecutor Jon Bortoli told the Darwin Local Court on Tuesday there were still “significant matters to resolve” and asked for a month-long adjournment.

The development charges were pushed back to December 3, for a plea or mention.

This comes ahead of the reality television star’s lengthy Supreme Court trial on the single charge of perverting the course of justice following the fatal helicopter crash which killed Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

Matt Wright’s Barrister Luke Officer appeared in Darwin Local Court. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Judge Alan Woodcock heard the related ‘back up’ charges of destroying and fabricating evidence, unlawful entry, making a false declaration and threatening a person involved in a criminal process remained in the local court system.

Mr Wright’s barrister Luke Officer said he was confident these charges would be dropped following the anticipated July trial.

Mr Officer said the eight-week listing in the Supreme Court was out of “an abundance of caution” and stated “these matters will fall apart at the trial”.

He asked Mr Woodcock for a 10 month adjournment, until September 1, 2025.

Originally published as Outback Wrangler Matt Wright allegedly continued to use Virginia home like a chopper landing strip, despite tribunal ruling