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Clearing case heads to court
7 Feb 2008
The federal government has referred a case of land clearing in NSW to the federal Director of Public Prosecutions to consider what criminal and civil charges should be made. One of Australia's most significant bird breeding wetlands was bulldozed at the Yarrol station in the Gwydir River floodplain in May last year when more than 500 hectares of land was cleared. The move has been made after the Department of the Environment finalised a report which looked at whether the activity was a breach of the Environment Protection Act which requires approval for any clearing that could destroy the habitats of migratory birds. Criminal breaches of the act can attract gaol sentences of up to seven years and civil penalties can be fines up to $550,000 for individuals and $5.5 million for companies.
Sydney Morning Herald, 7/2/2008
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