Media statement: Hearing outcome

Published on 18 February 2025

Attributable to Director City Futures, Sam Romaszko, Melton City Council:

Melton City Council has successfully prosecuted a landowner, following the destruction of native vegetation.

Council commenced a criminal prosecution following the illegal destruction of native vegetation within the City of Melton, in contravention of the Melton Planning Scheme.

Council intervened immediately after it became aware unauthorised work was being carried out on environmentally protected grasslands, to stop further destruction occurring.

On 18 February 2025, a hearing took place at the Sunshine Magistrate’s Court, where there was an aggregate fine over two charges, with the company fined $100,000 and the individual fined $70,000. The accused were also ordered to pay Council’s legal costs of $90,000.

As the responsible enforcement agency, Melton City Council will continue to investigate any destruction of native vegetation within the City that breaches the Melton Planning Scheme, and when appropriate to do so, commence legal proceedings for this unlawful conduct.