NT DLI fined $25k for destroying sacred tree in Arlparra community
A NT government department has been slapped with a $25k fine for destroying a tree. Find out why.
A long and bitter court battle between two government departments has ended with one copping a $25k fine for destroying a sacred tree in a remote Territory community.
On Monday, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning, and Lands (Now the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure) pleaded guilty to destroying a sacred site in Arlparra.
The charges stem from the destruction of a ghost gum tree during road widening works in the community, which began in 2021.
During a previous court hearing in Alice Springs in February, the department sought to contest the charges carrying out work on sacred site, causing damage to a sacred site, and use or damage a sacred site.
The charges were brought to the department by the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) in 2022, beginning a long legal battle which was shuffled between the Alice Springs and Darwin Local Courts.
AAPA chief executive Dr Benedict Scambary welcomed the ruling, but said it was “disappointing” the department would “destroy an important sacred site, and then spend years fighting the charges”.
“The DLI undertake a lot of work across the Northern Territory and it is immensely disappointing to have the Department disregard the available process,” he said.
“Through the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority, the Northern Territory has a clear cut, effective process for supporting development while protecting sacred sites.”
The department was fined $25,000 for the damage, and a DLI spokeswoman said “the department accepts the sentence handed down by the court”.
The spokeswoman said the Department “acknowledges the removal of the tree caused cultural loss and hurt to the traditional owners and members of the community, and department representatives have personally apologised to the community”.
“The Department is sorry for the upset caused to traditional owners and the community, and would like to reassure all Territorians that further measures have been implemented to help prevent a similar incident in the future.
“The Department has worked with AAPA, the Central Land Council and the community over several years to remedy the situation to the best of its abilities.”
