$15,000 fine for Greater Glider habitat damage near Dorrigo

FORESTRY Corporation NSW (FCNSW) has been fined as a result of one of its many interactions with local conservationist, Mark Graham.

For breaches of Section 60N(1) of the Local Land Services Act 2013 (unauthorised clearing of native vegetation in regulated rural areas) and Section 2.4(1)(a) of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (damage to the habitat of threatened species), FCNSW was fined $15,000.

Mr Graham said, “I welcome this result and now seek to litigate against Forestry Corporation to fund restoration and remedial works for the harms caused by the crimes committed by Forestry Corporation on my private conservation

reserve.”

A New England Blackbutt tree within which an endangered Southern Greater Glider had been filmed four nights before was felled and cut up inside Mr Graham’s property.

A spokesperson for FCNSW said Forestry Corporation removed a hazardous tree overhanging a newly constructed road in State Forest on 10 January 2024.

The tree was supported only by other standing trees within the State Forest.

She said the base of the hazardous tree was about five metres inside private property and the crew entered the site to remove the risk without first consulting the adjoining landholder.

Forestry Corporation apologised to the property owner for the oversight.

She added that FCNSW will take time to consider the penalty notice and reasons for issuing it.

Mr Graham alleges there were other actions around the time of the incident.

By Andrew VIVIAN