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Moyne sends strong message about unauthorised native vegetation clearing

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Moyne Shire Council, Media Release, 31 May 2022

Residents in the Moyne Shire are being encouraged to check with Council before undertaking clearing of any native vegetation.

This comes after Council negotiated an enforcement order with strict requirements following a Peterborough land owner who had been caught clearing three acres of native vegetation from a sand dune on their property.

During a Compulsory Conference, it was agreed that the property owner would revegetate 12.5ha (30 acres) of their land to Council’s satisfaction, and pay Council costs of $20,000.

This comes after the landholder was warned that a permit was required, and they were stopped from clearing vegetation on a previous occasion.

The landowner did not have a permit to clear the native vegetation on the property, and ignored a number of environmental overlays.

Mayor of the Moyne Shire, Cr Ian Smith said Council took the land owner to VCAT to enforce the legislation with regard to illegal clearing, which was conducted to make way for a proposed house site with a sea view.

“The area affected is of a significant size and the property borders the heritage listed Great Ocean Road, Bay of Martyrs lookout and Coastal Park. Sadly, the property is also listed as containing the Port Campbell Guinea Flower, a plant endemic only in this area,” Cr Smith said.

“Moyne Shire has a beautiful natural landscape with a unique ecosystem. This case highlights the importance that landowners who want to remove native vegetation of any type should contact Council to make sure they are meeting all the necessary legislative requirements in order to avoid enforcement action and negative environmental impacts.”

In Victoria, native vegetation removal is governed by the requirements of the relevant Planning Scheme, in this case, the Moyne Planning Scheme.

The purpose of these requirements is to ensure the removal of native vegetation is avoided in the first instance, minimised where native vegetation removal cannot be avoided, and offset any destruction of native vegetation.

Residents who want to remove native vegetation on private property are reminded to get in touch with Council to ensure they have obtained the correct permissions.

More information about native vegetation removal can be found via Council’s Native Vegetation Clearing Quick Guide at www.moyne.vic.gov.au/Our-Community/Environment/Native-Vegetation-Clearing-Quick-Guide.

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