Fined for clearing native plants

TWO residents in Upper Pakenham have been fined by council after they breached local laws on their respective properties.
One male from Mann Road pleaded guilty to illegally removing native vegetation, damming a creek and illegally storing machinery and equipment on site.
The man was fined $30,000 and ordered to pay council costs after he appeared at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 1 May.
Upon inspection, Cardinia Shire Council officers discovered the man had cleared part of the bush with a 250 metre gravel track, and a stream of the Ararat Creek was almost completely dammed.
The court heard that this property was of high quality native bushland and was protected due to environmental significance.
They also discovered items from the property owner’s business were stored on site, including trucks and skip bins.
This storage violated rules for an area of environmental significance.
Council will ask VCAT to request that the owner restore the property to its original state and for an assessment of the land.
This fine came after a Upper Pakenham couple were fined $50,000 by the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court for clearing native vegetation from their property and commenced to live on site, after council and VCAT refused permission.