Dean Zordan fined almost $60,000 for illegal land clearing at Annya State Forest near Portland

The illegal clearing of 300 cubic metres of native vegetation from a southwest Victorian state forest has landed a Portland farmer in hot water.

A hobby farmer has been labelled ‘selfish’ after being convicted of illegally clearing dozens of 40 year-old Eucalyptus trees from a state forest near Portland.

Yesterday, Dean Zordan pleaded guilty to 31 charges in the Portland Magistrates’ Court, in relation to the destruction of 56 trees, including 30 Eucalyptus trees in the Annya State Forest.

The Annya State Forest, located 30 minutes from Portland, adjoins Zordan’s Milltown property, where he runs a small flock of sheep.

On July 7 2021, DELWP officers were in the area when they noticed soil disturbances near the fence line of Zordan’s property.

After investigating, officials discovered an area 170 metres long and eight metres wide which had been cleared in the Annya State Forest.

The investigation uncovered a total of 300 cubic metres worth of native vegetation which had been illegally cleared, including 30 40-year Eucalyptus trees.

DELWP alleged the clearing had taken place over five weeks during the winter of 2021.

The trees were seized and transported to a DELWP storage facility by officials, where they will be forfeited.

The department also told the court ongoing soil remediation works will need to be completed to ensure the disturbed soil remains free of invasive weeds.

DELWP told the court Zordan should pay tree transportation costs of $36,000, $3300 for the surveyor report, plus a $247.71 service fee.

In submitting his guilty plea, Zordan told the court he had attempted to contact DELWP staff at their Heywood office, but it was closed due to Covid.

A Portland farmer has been fined more than $59,000 for illegal land clearing.

He said he “didn’t realise he was doing anything illegal” at the time of the land clearing, and wanted to clear the land to build a new boundary fence as his sheep were running off the property.

In sentencing Zordan, Magistrate Holzer said what Zordan’s land clearing was “shameful”.

Magistrate Franz Holzer also took into account Zordan’s guilty plea and financial situation when sentencing the hobby farmer.

“You have completed five weeks of carnage,” Magistrate Holzer said.

“This was really selfish behaviour.

“There’s a good reason why areas are state forest and that is for preservation for future generations.

“Your way of doing things in this instance was shameful.

“Your punishment needs to be a deterrent for yourself and for others.”

Magistrate Holzer convicted and fined Zordan $59,547.71, which included $39,547.71 costs to DELWP and an additional $20,000 fine.

Last month a father-and-son duo were fined $25,000 each plus costs for illegally clearing 8.4ha of native forest bordering their property in northwest Victoria.