25 October 2017
Record fine for illegal land clearing is welcome
The Nature Conservation Council welcomes the record fines awarded against the family of murderer Ian Turnbull for illegal land clearing on the family’s properties in northwest NSW. [1]
The son and grandson of the late farmer Ian Turnbull were ordered to pay a combined $708,750, plus the legal costs of the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH).
Turnbull shot dead OEH compliance official Glen Turner in 2014 as he and a colleague were visiting the Croppa Creek area near Moree to investigate land-clearing by the Turnbulls.
Turnbull was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years but died in hospital in March.
“The judgement by Justice Preston shines a light on the incredible wealth the Turnbull's were able to acquire by flouting environmental laws by clearing woodlands for cropping,” NCC Campaigns Director Daisy Barham said.
“The court found the value of one property, Strathdoon, rose from $2 million to $5 million because of higher returns from cropping compared with grazing on still vegetated land.
“Rather than cracking down on habitat destruction, the Coalition’s new land clearing laws reward agribusinesses and developers that want to bulldoze the bush for personal gain.
“Heaven help the wildlife clinging on in the dwindling patches of bush that are now in the sights of big agribusiness under these weaker laws, especially if the government under-resources compliance officers and soft-pedals on legal action, as it has done in the past.”
[1] http://www.smh.com.au/environment/family-of-man-who-murdered-nsw-environment-officer-hit-with-record-landclearing-fine-20171024-gz70l9.html
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