King Island man fined $90k and convicted for unauthorised clearing of threatened vegetation

A King Island man has been fined after clearing threatened native vegetations, despite having been warned against doing so. The forest authorities warning to landowners >>

Alan Robert Smith fined $90,000 for illegal land clearing on King Island. Picture: Supplied

A man continued to clear trees and threatened native vegetation even after being issued a formal stop work request from the Forest Practices Authority.

According to the FPA, the King Island Magistrates Court convicted and fined Alan Robert Smith on nine charges under the Forest Practices Act 1985 at a King Island property on January 8.

He was convicted and fined $90,000 for the charges which included unauthorised clearing of trees, clearance and conversion of threatened native vegetation communities and failing to comply with a notice to cease forest practices.

Alan Robert Smith fined $90,000 for illegal land clearing on King Island. Picture: Supplied

The charges were related to vegetation including King Island scrub and Eucalyptus brookeriana wet forest and a wetland.

The conviction followed an “extensive and complex” investigation by the FPA who said illegal clearing activities continued despite a formal request issued to stop the operations.

FPA acting chief forest practices officer Willem Mulder said the court’s decision highlighted the “serious nature” of the offences and said landowners should check permitted forest activities with the FPA before commencing any activity.

“The forest practices system provides a process for identifying and considering environmental and other sensitive values through a certified forest practices plan,” Mr Mulder said.

“Clearance and conversion of threatened native vegetation communities is not normally permitted under the system.

“This unlawful land clearing would have been avoided if the forest practices process had been followed. It is important that landowners check the FPA’s website or contact the FPA to find out about clearing regulations before they commence operations.”

Originally published as King Island man fined $90k and convicted for unauthorised clearing of threatened vegetation