AN ENVIRONMENTAL planner who was convicted of land clearing in a koala habitat area at Port Stephens has been fined a further $25,000 for failing to comply with court orders while his business has gone into liquidation.
Anthony Fish started his own environmental planning and management consultancy called Orogen in 2007 when he was contracted by developer Buildev to provide advice on a subdivision at Taylors Beach, the Land and Environment Court recently heard.
Fish gave erroneous advice that resulted in about three hectares of bush being cleared in breach of the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
He pleaded guilty to damaging the habitat of a threatened species and was fined $5000 while Orogen was fined $10,000.
As part of their punishment, they were ordered to carry out a koala habitat mapping project for Port Stephens Council, which was to be completed at their own expense by December 2011.
Parts of the project were done, but Orogen fell into difficulties and, as the business declined, resulting in Fish having to lay off staff, the project was not completed.
Fish was then charged with failing to comply with the court order and was recently fined $25,000 as well as being ordered to pay $8500 costs.
Justice Nicola Pain noted that Orogen had gone into liquidation and that the council and the Office of Environment and Heritage had wasted time and resources on the mapping project.
"In addition to the serious matter that an order of the court has not been complied with, a direct impact has been the effect on third parties who have incurred costs for which they will not be reimbursed," Justice Pain said.
"A waste of public resources occurred with the time of Port Stephens Council and OEH departmental officers being wasted on the unfinished project.
"An important direct benefit to the community of a completed koala habitat mapping project will also be foregone."
Fish can apply for an extension of time to pay his fines.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL planner who was convicted of land clearing in a koala habitat area at Port Stephens has been fined a further $25,000 for failing to comply with court orders while his business has gone into liquidation.
Anthony Fish started his own environmental planning and management consultancy called Orogen in 2007 when he was contracted by developer Buildev to provide advice on a subdivision at Taylors Beach, the Land and Environment Court recently heard.
Fish gave erroneous advice that resulted in about three hectares of bush being cleared in breach of the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
He pleaded guilty to damaging the habitat of a threatened species and was fined $5000 while Orogen was fined $10,000.
As part of their punishment, they were ordered to carry out a koala habitat mapping project for Port Stephens Council, which was to be completed at their own expense by December 2011.
Parts of the project were done, but Orogen fell into difficulties and, as the business declined, resulting in Fish having to lay off staff, the project was not completed.
Fish was then charged with failing to comply with the court order and was recently fined $25,000 as well as being ordered to pay $8500 costs.
Justice Nicola Pain noted that Orogen had gone into liquidation and that the council and the Office of Environment and Heritage had wasted time and resources on the mapping project.
"In addition to the serious matter that an order of the court has not been complied with, a direct impact has been the effect on third parties who have incurred costs for which they will not be reimbursed," Justice Pain said.
"A waste of public resources occurred with the time of Port Stephens Council and OEH departmental officers being wasted on the unfinished project.
"An important direct benefit to the community of a completed koala habitat mapping project will also be foregone."
Fish can apply for an extension of time to pay his fines.
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