TABULAM FIRE: Court hears the extent of damage is unknown

THE 40-year-old is facing two charges over the blaze which burnt through more than 7500 hectares.

Tabulam fires caused widespread devastation over a 7 day period. Picture: Marc Stapelberg

UPDATE 1.03pm: THE full extent of damage caused by an intentionally lit fire at Tabulam is not yet known, a court has heard.

Natasha Spiller, 40, did not appear before Casino Local Court when her case was first mentioned on Wednesday.

Spiller's solicitor, Vince Boss, lodged a guilty plea on her behalf to intentionally causing fire and being reckless to its spread.

He did not enter a plea to Spiller's second charge of lighting a fire during a total fire ban.

The charges stem from an incident in which Spiller allegedly set alight material inside a drum on her Tabulam property about 8am on February 13.

More than 7500 hectares of land were burnt as a result of the blaze, which was escalated to Watch and Act, then Emergency Warning levels by the NSW Rural Fire Service the same day.

A total of 18 homes have been confirmed to be destroyed as a result.

Mr Boss told the court the matter had been referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, but this department had declined handling of the case.

"They're not taking the matter on," Mr Boss said.

The court heard Spiller's matter would therefore remain in the Local Court.

Police prosecutor Carrie-Lee Locke told the court a police account of the alleged offending and its impact was yet to be updated.

"The extent of the damage is not yet known and that's still under investigation," Ms Locke said.

Mr Heilpern asked her whether the charge of lighting a fire during a total fire ban was likely to be a backup charge.

"They are separate offences and separate allegations so I'm not in a position to comment at this point," Ms Locke replied.

Mr Boss said they intended for representations to be made regarding Spiller's second charge.

But Magistrate David Heilpern said there was "no provision for adjournment for representations" in this case.

He did, however, agree to adjourn the matter "for a short time".

Mr Boss also asked Mr Heilpern to consider ordering a sentencing assessment report to be ordered.

Such a report can help the court to consider forms of sentencing other than full-time custody.

Mr Heilpern said he was not able to make such an order at this stage.

"I can't order a sentencing assessment report on charges that aren't complete," Mr Heilpern said.

"I won't order a SAR at this time."

Mr Heilpern said he was unsure whether a sentencing assessment report would assist with anything "other than (Spiller's) eligibility for community service".

"It may be that that is not an appropriate sentencing option," he said.

Mr Heilpern adjourned the matter to April 3.

A plea must be entered to Spiller's second charge must be entered then unless it is "otherwise resolved", Mr Heilpern said.

Update 11.45am: A TABULAM woman accused of lighting a fire which destroyed 18 homes has pleaded guilty to one of her two charges.

Natasha Spiller, 40, was expected to make her first appearance before Casino Local Court on Wednesday.

Spiller was this month charged with intentionally lighting a fire and being reckless to its spread and lighting a fire during a total fire ban.

Her solicitor, Vince Boss, lodged a plea of guilty to the first charge.

He has entered no formal plea to the second charge.

Police allege Spiller set alight garbage in a steel drum and failed to stop it from spreading to nearby bushland.

The blaze burnt through more than 7500 hectares near the Bruxner Highway between Tabulam and Drake.

The fire was, at times, an Emergency Warning put in place by the Rural Fire Service.

More to come.

Original story: A WOMAN is due to face court today over the devastating Tabulam bushfire.

Police will allege the 40-year-old set alight rubbish inside a large steel container about 8am on Wednesday February 13.

She then allegedly left the fire unattended before it spread into nearby bushland.

Police allege the woman tried to extinguish the fire with a garden hose and phones Triple 0.

She is facing charges of intentionally causing fire and being reckless to its spread and setting a fire during total fire ban.

The fire, near the Bruxner Highway between Tabulam and Drake, burnt more than 7500 hectares and destroyed 18 homes and 49 outbuildings.

Another 18 homes and 19 other buildings were damaged in the blaze.

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