The developers of a subdivision in Goonellabah have been fined $6,000 for illegally clearing trees while a property owner in Dunoon has been fined $6,000 for leasing unlawful dwellings.
The Lismore City Council issued the fines as part of a crackdown on unlawful activities in relation to development compliance.
The council issued the fines to the developers of the Waterford Park subdivision after a site inspection revealed 41 trees had been removed without consent.
The inspection was carried out after an application to remove 18 teak and 14 silky oak trees was lodged.
The tree debris was subsequently set on fire in late September 2016 by unknown persons not associated with the development, causing numerous complaints from surrounding landowners.
The council’s manger of development and compliance Peter Jeuken said the council wanted to be clear with developers that it doesn’t condone such behaviour.
‘Environmental protection is important to meet community expectations and wellbeing and there are consequences for non-compliance with approvals,’ Mr Jeuken said.
‘New developments are great for the ongoing, sustainable growth of Lismore but it must not be at the expense of losing valued native flora and fauna.’
Council has also issued a property owner $6000 in fines after a site visit revealed unlawful dwellings were being leased on a rural property at Dunoon Road.
Mr Jeuken said the council had issued orders as far back as 2011 to the Dunoon Road property owner regarding the unlawful habitation of three dwellings.
Further complaints in late 2016 prompted the council to make another site inspection where they discovered evidence of long-term habitation, further unlawful construction and unapproved wastewater disposal.
They also obtained documents indicating that the properties were leased.
‘This is the second instance the property owner has undertaken illegal activities in regard to the habitation of unapproved structures on the premises, despite orders being in place to restrict their use,’ Mr Jeuken said.
‘Council has provided various opportunities and substantial assistance to the owner in attempting to bring the property into compliance but the owner continued to undertake illegal activities.
‘The owner has demonstrated little regard for the health and safety of the occupants of the illegal structures or the planning legislation.
‘Receipts and advice from the tenants indicate that the owner has been receiving up to $1250 per week for the rent of these structures, which have recently been vacated following council’s intervention.
‘We needed to send a clear message to the owner and the community that Council is committed to ensuring the health and safety of building occupants and any non-compliances brought to its attention is rectified in a reasonable timeframe.’
So he was fined the equivalent of five weeks receipt of rentals he presumably had been bringing in for months! Wow! What a incredible disincentive that must have proven for him to stop renting out the dwellings!
What a joke!