Why an Australian guy was fined $25,000 by his local council, thinking he was “doing the right thing”
A Western Australian man was fined $25,000 for cleaning local trees on unauthorized property and council land, believing that gardening was done to benefit from endangered animals.
Craig Wilson Donohue faced the Mandula Magistrate Court on May 7 and was charged with developing in an area that complies with local planning plans.
Mr. Donoche pleaded guilty to cleaning and pruning local jungle on his Forrington Heights property and part of the Waroona Highway Reserve.
Founded at the end of 2024, the Pruning spans at least 1,000 square meters of jungle area, which is considered an environmentally sensitive area.
Mr Donoche claimed he tried to “do the right thing” by removing the fence and barbed wire from the area because he believed it posed a “danger to native animals”.
He also argued that invasive cotton, poisonous nightmare and South African weed Watsonia occupied the area and prevented the local fauna from thriving.
But the prosecutor of the Council told the court that his actions would have lasting and significant impact on the reserve, i.e. Mandula era Report.
Waroona’s county claims that Mr Donohue’s mechanical pruning and thermal combustion (strong fires on a wide range of areas) affect the natural habitat of several endangered plants and animals.
Craig Wilson Donohue cleaned up at least 1,000 square feet of environmentally sensitive areas (stocks) on its property and part of the board of directors (stocks)
He pleaded guilty in Mandula District Court (pictured), was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay Waroona County $1,500 in fees
The Council believes that Mali and riparian trees are natural foraging habitats for black parrots, cracked and died due to the heat of the fire.
Natural shrubs and ground coverings are also basically trimmed and removed.
Although the prosecution of accepting Mr Donochett was “slightly overwhelmed” in the act of prosecuting Mr Donochet, they believed he should have permission from the Council.
Magistrate Leanne Atkins told Mr Donohue in the ruling that his actions would be subject to a significant fine for failing to seek proper approval.
He was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay the Council a $1,500 fee.
In accepting this decision, Mr. Donohue promised to sow SOW 200 plants over a two-year period to help revegetation in affected areas.
