Western Australian farmers charged with planting crops on public land

State regulator failing to deter farmers from planting crops on public land, Esperance County claim documents show.
Points keys: Esperance Wildflower Society has called for unauthorized clearing to be stamped outFear clearing could destroy vital wildflower habitat and wildlife corridorsCounty Chairman believes clearing serves to manage pests and prevent pests Fires Regulation (DWER) by Esperance County since 2018.
County Chairman and Farmer Ian Mickel said this equates to roughly 78 miles of curbside road, or 114 hectares.
< p class="_1g_Rg">None resulted in fines or prosecution.
Numerous county reports, seen by the ABC, allege the clearing is for "financial gain for the cultivation of additional land in the road reserve".
Som Reports also allege that the state regulator is not taking action.
“Unauthorized clearing of county road reserves has become commonplace due to the lack of prosecution by DWER,” a report written on February 16 indicated.
Photo taken in 2019 featured in report alleging crops planted at the side of the road. (Supplied)
His officers would be on the ground in Esperance to inspect the reported areas in the coming weeks.
He said all reports and allegations of unauthorized clearing of native vegetation have been evaluated by the department.

He said exemptions may be provided to allow clearing of native vegetation, and those -these were taken into consideration when investigating reports of illegal cleari ng.
"Not all land clearing is ill equal, and not all illegal clearing is prosecuted," he said in a written statement.
"Each case is assessed individually, and when In determining enforcement action, the ministry considers several factors, including the seriousness of the violation, the behavior of the offender, and whether the offender has a history of non-compliance."
He confirmed that no fines or prosecutions have been initiated following allegations in the Esperance area.
"Tip of a much bigger iceberg"
The president of the Esperance Wildflower Society, Ken Mills, wrote to Mr Whitby on June 30, asking him to eliminate the practice, but said he had not yet received a response.

Agrotech Sep 1, 2022 0 105 Add to Reading List

Western Australian farmers charged with planting crops on public land

State regulator failing to deter farmers from planting crops on public land, Esperance County claim documents show.

Points keys: Esperance Wildflower Society has called for unauthorized clearing to be stamped outFear clearing could destroy vital wildflower habitat and wildlife corridorsCounty Chairman believes clearing serves to manage pests and prevent pests Fires Regulation (DWER) by Esperance County since 2018.

County Chairman and Farmer Ian Mickel said this equates to roughly 78 miles of curbside road, or 114 hectares.

< p class="_1g_Rg">None resulted in fines or prosecution.

Numerous county reports, seen by the ABC, allege the clearing is for "financial gain for the cultivation of additional land in the road reserve".

Som Reports also allege that the state regulator is not taking action.

“Unauthorized clearing of county road reserves has become commonplace due to the lack of prosecution by DWER,” a report written on February 16 indicated.

Green crops border a dirt road. The photo is taken from inside a 4x4

His officers would be on the ground in Esperance to inspect the reported areas in the coming weeks.

He said all reports and allegations of unauthorized clearing of native vegetation have been evaluated by the department.

He said exemptions may be provided to allow clearing of native vegetation, and those -these were taken into consideration when investigating reports of illegal cleari ng.

"Not all land clearing is ill equal, and not all illegal clearing is prosecuted," he said in a written statement.

"Each case is assessed individually, and when In determining enforcement action, the ministry considers several factors, including the seriousness of the violation, the behavior of the offender, and whether the offender has a history of non-compliance."

He confirmed that no fines or prosecutions have been initiated following allegations in the Esperance area.

"Tip of a much bigger iceberg"

The president of the Esperance Wildflower Society, Ken Mills, wrote to Mr Whitby on June 30, asking him to eliminate the practice, but said he had not yet received a response.