Former Eurobodalla Shire Council mayor Liz Innes sentenced after growing 76 cannabis plants

A former mayor on the south coast has told a court she only had a $258k cannabis crop growing on her property for her and her daughter’s use.

Ex-mayor Liz Innes smoking outside Batemans Bay Local Court. Picture: Tom McGann.

A former NSW south coast mayor caught growing $258,400 worth of cannabis in her home was growing the illegal plant to use in cannabis oil, a court has heard.

Liz Innes, 54, from Runnyford, faced Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday on a charge of cultivating cannabis.

Innes was also charged with possessing the plants, however this was withdrawn.

She had previously pleaded guilty to the charges on February 10 in Moruya Local Court.

The court heard Innes had acquired the seeds to grow the cannabis after she was diagnosed with anxiety and depression.

“She is somebody who has given great service to the community, both in council and as mayor for a lengthy period,” Innes’ lawyer, Keely Boom said.

“That was during the bushfires which were stressful, and Covid-19.”

Ms Boom said it was this stress which led to the former mayor’s cannabis crop.

“She was prescribed medication which was not effective,” she said.

The court heard Innes had informed Ms Boom: “If cannabis was legal, she would keep smoking it”.

“She makes a promise to the court today to not smoke cannabis or cultivate it,” she said.

Ex-mayor Liz Innes leaving Batemans Bay Local Court. Picture: Tom McGann

According to police facts tendered to Batemans Bay Local Court, the former Eurobodalla Shire mayor was caught growing 76 cannabis plants at her Runnyford home in February this year.

The prohibited plants were promptly seized by officers on February 5, when they were in the area for a matter unrelated to Innes.

Documents state Innes praised her gardening skills while officers were removing the plants and asked officers if they knew who she was.

The plants were taken to Batemans Bay police station, where their value was determined to be between $129,000 and $258,400.

According to the agreed facts, police also state: “Police are of the firm belief that the amount of plants cultivated and in the possession of the accused is excessive for personal use.”

However, Ms Boom said the plants were exclusively for Innes’ daughter and her own use.

“She did not have any intention to sell those plants, they were for her and her daughter,” she said.

“There was some intention to make cannabis oil.”

Magistrate Doug Dick said Innes needed to “turn your life around”.

“You have a great deal of support from family and friends and you’ve let them down,” he said.

“This sort of thing cannot be tolerated.”

Ms Innes was convicted and sentenced to a two year community corrections order.

She was also fined $4000.

Ms Innes refused to comment when approached by media outside the courtroom.