A plantation operator has been fined $141,000 for illegally clearing around 16 hectares of native bush in south-west WA — an area equivalent to nine Perth stadiums.
Blue Whale Farm Plantation undertook unauthorised development on four parcels of remote land near the Scott River, owned by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, over five months in 2022.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation notified the shire after they noticed the clearing on satellite images.
Shire-owned land cleared illegally by Blue Whale Farm Plantation near Scott River. (Supplied: Shire of Augusta Margaret River)
The Bunbury Magistrates Court heard the company cleared the land for firebreaks and to make the area more trafficable.
But Magistrate Anthony Sullivan said there were issues with certain “ambiguities” with the case.
“What has occurred has been interrupted and the true extent of the clearing is not a matter that I can be satisfied [of] beyond reasonable doubt,” he said.
Magistrate Sullivan said it was unclear what the purpose of making the area more trafficable was, but there was “clearly a commercial interest” for Blue Whale.
“There is a serious breach to the natural environment,” he said.
Magistrate Sullivan said there was “every indication” the company would have cleared more land had they not been interrupted.
There was “every indication” more land would have been cleared had they not been interrupted, according to the magistrate. (Supplied: Shire of Augusta Margaret River)
“Damage to the environment … cannot easily be rectified,” he said.
‘Devastating’, shire president says
Magistrate Sullivan acknowledged there was significant public interest in deterring other companies from repeating similar offences, in order to preserve the natural landscape.
Shire of Augusta Margaret River President Julia Meldrum said while they had won the court case, they had lost precious, rare and endangered plant life.
“It’s quite devastating,” she told ABC Radio South West.
“Our beautiful natural environment is a major part of what makes our shire a special place and preserving and protecting that biodiversity that we’ve got is really important to our community.”
Ms Meldrum said a rare shrub species — the round-leaf honeysuckle — had been severely impacted.
The plant, officially known as Lambertia orbifolia, is on the Australian government’s endangered species list.
Scott River is one of just a few locations where it can be found in Australia.
The council says the endangered round-leaf honeysuckle was impacted by the clearing. (Supplied: Shire of Augusta Margaret River)
In addition to the fine, Blue Whale Farm Plantation has also been issued a Vegetation Conservation Notice.
It means the company must revegetate the area and frequently report to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
The ABC attempted to contact Blue Whale Farm Plantation for comment.
