A 74-year-old Colac man and his 44-year-old son were found guilty after appearing in the Geelong Magistrates ‘ Court of multiple offences relating to taking protected native vegetation.Â
Evidence that was presented to court, showed that the father and son sold more than 13,000 tea tree stakes across 2022 and 2023, the Magistrate characterised the conduct as “serious environmental offending.”
Under Victorian law, it is illegal to remove native trees or damage wildlife habitat on public land without authorisation.
The vegetation was cleared from the Otway Forest Park, the Great Otway National Park and Jancourt Nature Conservation Reserve, with sales of the tea tree stumps linked to Irrewillipe, Carlisle Rover and Jan court
The two men have avoided conviction and will each receive a fine of $30,000
The duo were under an 18-month-long investigation. Inspections were conducted at Colac and Colac West properties in 2023 that led to the seizure of a vehicle, machetes, a chainsaw and more than 600 tea tree stakes prepared for sale.Â
