Fourth King Islander fined over vegetation clearance

A Tasmanian magistrate has convicted another local landowner of illegal land clearing and imposed a $90,000 fine, according to the Forest Practices Authority (FPA).

The FPA charged Alan Robert Smith with multiple offences, including unauthorised tree clearing, the clearance and conversion of threatened native vegetation, and non-compliance with a notice to cease forest practices.

FPA acting chief forest practices officer Willem Mulder stated that the investigation began in 2020 after reports of illegal land clearing. The cleared vegetation included King Island Scrub, Eucalyptus brookeriana wet forest, and wetland species.

Mr. Mulder noted that Smith continued clearing the land despite receiving a formal notice to halt operations. "The decision of the Magistrates Court highlights the serious nature of these offences, and the FPA strongly encourages landowners to check permitted forest activities with the FPA before commencing any activity that could otherwise be unauthorised," Mr. Mulder said.

Last April, Angus cattle farm owner John Daniels was fined $95,000 after being found guilty of clearing 19 hectares of native vegetation without a forest practices plan.

Later, in October 2024, John and Geraldine Davis pleaded guilty to four charges and were fined $40,000 by the Launceston Magistrates Court. Their charges related to the unauthorised clearance and conversion of two threatened native vegetation communities—Melaleuca ericifolia swamp forest and Eucalyptus brookeriana wet forest—both protected due to their ecological significance. Despite receiving a stop-work notice from authorities, the couple continued their operations.

"The forest practices system provides a process for identifying and considering environmental and other sensitive values through a certified forest practices plan," Mr. Mulder said.

"Clearance and conversion of threatened native vegetation communities is not normally permitted under the system.

"This unlawful land clearing would have been avoided if the forest practices process had been followed.

"It is important that landowners check the FPA's website or contact the FPA to find out about clearing regulations before they commence operations."