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So 60% of the nest sites of an EPBC Act listed
species in one forest have been destroyed .
Recently, a farmer who destroyed part of a Ramsar
site in NSW was fined $450,000 dollars under a benchmark case BROUGHT BY THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. The EPBC Act makes it an offence to have a "significant
impact" on any protected matter. Significant is defined as an impact that is
important or notable, within whatever context is relevant - the regional
population of Superb Parrots in Victoria is one such context. The maximum fine
for a breach of EPBC Act is 5.5 million dollars for a body corporate.
It should be pointed out that DSE is not in a
position to offer authorisation for this action. Even though they gave
'approval' under Vic statute, whoever logged the forest is still liable for the
impact on Federal protected matters.
What are the conservation NGOs going to do about
this. What is Birds Australia going to do about this?
Regards,
Simon Mustoe.
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