Illegal dam on NSW blueberry farm attracts $130k in fines
The NSW Land and Environment Court fines two Mid North Coast blueberry farmers $100,000 for building an illegal dam, but they will not have to demolish it.
Two farmers from Bucca, north of Coffs Harbour, have been fined $100,000 each for constructing an unapproved dam on their property. The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) initiated legal action following a complaint made to their hotline. Harpreet Pannu and Satvinder Pannu pleaded guilty to building a water supply without authorization and carrying out unauthorized works on waterfront land between December 2022 and May 2023.
Earthmoving contractor Murray John Gray also pleaded guilty and received a $30,000 fine. Justice Richard Beasley described the defendants as hardworking and decent, noting their lapse in judgment as a one-off mistake. Mr Gray's actions were deemed careless, but he is unlikely to repeat the offense. The court noted that approximately 1.8 hectares of native vegetation was removed during the dam construction on waterfront land.
The couple has since received regulatory approval for the dam without any plans for its removal or demolition. Environmental advocates have called for stricter regulations, emphasizing the potential environmental damage caused by illegal dams. NRAR Director Tim O Connell stated that illegal dams are not a major focus of their investigations, but it is crucial for farmers and contractors to be aware of regulations and use available tools to ensure compliance.
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