A fine of $20,000 (after 25% discount for early guilty plea) was appropriate for unlawful clearing of approximately fifty regrowth native trees where the defendant was unaware consent was required but ought to have known, environmental harm was low, and the defendant cooperated with authorities. The case provides a sentencing benchmark at the lower end of the scale for development without consent offences involving tree removal under s 125(1) of the EPA Act.
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2 of the 31 citing cases carry a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.