Heavy Fine for Tree Massacre

THE TWEED SHIRE %.2/,-%.43 Volume 2 #10 Thursday, November 5, 2009 2010 Advertising and news enquiries: Phone: (02) 6672 2280 Fax: (02) 6672 4933 [email protected] Pages [email protected] 12–13 www.tweedecho.com.au LOCAL & INDEPENDENT Heavy fine for Aladdin Sane comes home tree massacre Luis Feliu many threatened trees, including those marked with the tape, had been A contractor for a controversial cut and poisoned. proposed new township at Bilam- The court found that Rawson’s bil Heights who chopped down and actions were deliberate and that he poisoned over 1,200 trees, includ- acted in reckless disregard of infor- ing many threatened species, has mation, advice and warnings from been fined $135,000 and ordered to one of the environmental consultants complete 200 hours of community that at least some of the trees he had service. cut were threatened species. Chillingham farmhand Lance Raw- son pleaded guilty in the NSW Land Warnings ignored and Environment Court to seven Rawson also ignored warnings charges under the National Parks and from a Tweed Shire Council ranger Wildlife Act and was convicted last that the cutting of trees on the prop- week with one of the largest penalties erty may be contrary to the law. ever handed down in the state for The court’s chief judge, Justice such offences. He was also ordered to Brian Preston, said ‘the conservation Murwillumbah races on Melbourne Cup day was full of action, fun and fashion. Race 5, the Casella Wines Yellowtail pay professional costs of biological diversity is a common Bubble Benchmark 45 Handicap, saw a close finish at the post with 20-1 outsider and first emergency Aladdin Sane, Rawson was contracted to poison concern of humankind’ and Rawson ridden by Lorna Cook and trained by her partner Dennis Dwane, winning by a quarter of a length from favourite camphor laurel and privet by devel- caused actual environmental harm to Cooly Road, ridden by George Auckram, with Dance Machine, ridden by Darren Coleman, a further half length away oper Godfrey Mantle and his Ter- seven threatened species and popula- in third place. Photo Jeff ’Battle Cries and Champagne’ Dawson ranora Group Management Pty Ltd, tions of those threatened species and which owns the land and currently an endangered ecological community, Act, including ecologically sustain- down or damaging them. The judge said Rawson benefited has plans before the state planning their habitat, composition, structure able development’. Rawson told the court that he financially from committing the department for the township with up and functioning. ‘The plants were not only of a did see tags, including pink tags, offences as he was engaged by Mr to 1,800 homes known as The Rise Justice Preston said Rawson admit- threatened species but also were com- ‘everywhere, on camphors, lantana, Mantle to undertake the vegetation on the 170-hectare site of the derelict ted pulling out hundreds of plants ponents of, first, populations of those fence posts, surveyors’ pegs and the clearing work on the property for a Terranora Lakes Country Club. on the site but found his denials over species of significant conservational ground’ but was not told the reason fee of $32 per hour including cutting But the court found that Rawson picking some specific plants lacked status and, secondly, a listed endan- for them or their significance. He ad- and poisoning plants of the threat- went much further, using a chainsaw credibility. gered ecological community,’ Justice mitted cutting some trees or shrubs ened species which were part of the and poison to kill 1,279 trees, of seven He said Rawson also tried, but Preston said. with pink tags. offences. different threatened species, between was ‘unconvincing’, to suggest other The court also heard how an ecolo- He said Rawson could have and December 2005 and September 2006 people including marijuana growers Lack of knowledge gist tagging the threatened species on should have refrained from cutting and on the property which included high- or opponents to the controversial de- He accepted Rawson’s evidence as the property had seen 20 Red Bopple poisoning plants of threatened species quality remnant rainforest. velopment, were to blame for cutting to his lack of knowledge of threat- Nut trees (a threatened species) which unless and until all necessary approv- The court heard that environmen- and poisoning trees on the site, even ened species generally. Rawson said had been cut down and confronted als had been sought and obtained from tal consultants were also engaged to though he had never seen anyone do- he knew some plants were protected Rawson over it. the regulatory authorities. complete flora and fauna surveys for ing it. by the law but did not know which The court heard Rawson had no the site which identified hundreds of Rawson’s actions in picking plants ones. ‘Just doing what I’m told’ prior convictions for environmental individual threatened species on the of threatened species without first He also accepted Rawson’s evidence The ecologist had asked him ‘Why offences. land which were then marked with applying for, then obtaining ap- that he never had a conversation with the hell have you cut down all these The prosecutor had also called for pink flagging tape. proval under the National Parks and Mr Mantle or anyone else from his trees?’ to which Rawson replied: a jail sentence because the offences When the consultants later re- Wildlife Act, he said, ‘thwarted the company about threatened species on ‘Godfrey’s orders. Just doing what I’m were ‘very close to the worst type of turned to the land they discovered achievement of the objects of the the property or about Rawson cutting told to do’. continued on page 2 THE GOOD GUYS TWEED HEADS SOUTH SHARP ELECTRONIC COMPACT MICROWAVE UÊxÊ«ÜiÀÊiÛiÃ UÊ Ý«ÀiÃÃÊ`ivÀÃÌÊÜÌ ÊÎÊiÕÃ UÊÓÇÓÊ`>iÌiÀÊ«>Ìi WAS $127 – SAVE $28 NOW $99 PAY LESS PAY CASH CNR SHALLOW BAY DRIVE & MINJUNGBAL DRIVE HOMEART ON THE TWEED äÇÊxxÓ{Ê{{{{ÊUÊwww.goodguys.com.au <echowebsection=LocalNOW News> Local News Tweed Coast Vet On with the Murwillumbah Show Kim Cousins Step into ‘Robyn’s Nest’ next to the pavilion at Murwillumbah Showground tomorrow (Fri- day, November 6) and you’ll Open 7 Days find it a hive of activity. Mon to Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat & Sun 9am to 2pm Robyn Ross, chief pavilion 14 Tweed Coast Road, Cabarita Beach steward, has set up the pavilion (02) 6676 3199 for the last time. After 10 years in the role, she will pass the du- ties on next year. In that time, Robyn prepared thousands of items for judging. ‘Photography entries are up this year, I don’t know where we’re going to hang them,’ she said. ‘Jams are down a bit but we have lots of entries coming in from the school kids.’ Robyn said the traditional sections of farm produce, cook- ing, craft and fine arts had been joined in recent years by new Robyn Ross shows off her waratah flower Christmas decoration she made for last year’s show, sections such as home brewing which won her the grand champion ribbon. Robyn, pictured on the swan ride at Murwillumbah and cake decorating. Showground, is retiring from her role as chief pavilion steward. Photo Luis Feliu Last year, Robyn entered and a couple of local boys, and we’re not the boots and hat would be appreciated. a waratah flower Christmas we’re fortunate to also have set here’, the music was great The show will go out with a decoration she made from good sponsors.’ fun. bang on Saturday night with red ribbon after learning the A rodeo and country and The show is on tomorrow the traditional fireworks and craft from a friend. To her sur- western music afterwards by and Saturday (November entertainment by a local rock prise, she won grand champion several performers will contin- 6-7), with gates open to the band. Christmas decoration. ue the country theme tomor- public at 9am. Entry is free For more details, see page 17 Show secretary Liz Chauvier row (Friday) night. both days but a gold coin or visit www.murwillumbah- said the horse events were set Liz said that ‘even though donation to the show society showground.com to be huge. ‘We have the best show jumping schedule and high prize money,’ she said. Move to ban signs at council meetings ‘There are so many good rid- Ken Sapwell were hit by one of them,’ she is not necessary. ers, including ex-Olympians said. ‘I don’t agree with a blanket Community councillor Dot ‘Some of the people are also ban because I believe people Holdom wants to ban people wearing masks which I also have a democratic right to ex- from bringing signs into the find disrespectful. We’re not press their views,’ Cr van Lie- public gallery and using mo- sitting up there wearing masks shout said. bile phones during council and I don’t believe people in ‘But some signs have been meetings. the gallery should be wearing quite insulting to staff and I SOLAR She says the signage is of- them,’ she said in reference to think they should be left at the ten disrespectful and suspects people dressing in koala and door. Security staff should be some people are using mobile kangaroo costumes. able to check them and if they phones to film meetings in de- ‘Phones should be switched think a sign is rude or abusive fiance of a long-standing pro- off and kept out of sight – some they can get a second opinion HOT WATER hibition on recording any of people’s phones are ringing from the general manager.’ the proceedings .

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