[author]Simeon Michaels[/author]
Byron Shire Council has commenced proceedings against Alan Hunter, former candidate for Richmond, and current National Party chairman of the Richmond electorate.
Mr Hunter is charged with illegal construction at his property on Pinegrove Rd, Myocum. Council alleges that Mr Hunter illegally conducted earthworks in excess of those permitted by his approval for a farm shed. According to Ralph James, head of compliance at BSC, the allegations include placing 18 shipping containers on the site, joined together to form a storage facility.
Mr Hunter appeared in the Byron Local Court on Wednesday to enter a plea of not guilty. The matter is scheduled for a full day hearing on the 10th February 2012.
In the 2010 election, Mr Hunter secured 19 per cent of the primary vote and 43 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote for the Nationals. This represented a swing of 1.88 percent towards the coalition, a middling result given a national swing of 5.4 per cent against Labor.
