A court case concerning a series of illegal clearing works back around 2015 came to a conclusion in Raymond Terrace Local Court yesterday (22 August).
Tea Garden Farms Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to four offences relating to work around Nanabah Creek (at Bundabah) which drains into the Marine Park at Fame Cove. These unlawful works at one stage left the creek blocked by bulldozed trees.
The charges against Tea Garden Farms were brought by the Natural Resources Access Regulator. This body was established by the NSW Government to be an independent, transparent and effective water regulator with total responsibility for the compliance and enforcement of water laws in NSW.
The case was heard before Magistrate Shields who imposed the maximum fine of $22,000 for each offence and also ordered the company responsible to pay $20,000 in costs. In imposing these fines, the Magistrate stressed that it was important that the work of the regulator be taken seriously and that therefore appropriate sanctions needed to be applied.
