Newcastle Herald 23 May 2002

Developer Cops Fines

A DEVELOPER who illegally cleared bushland was fined $2400 because Cessnock City Council did not want to risk losing a court battle.

Duncan Hardie, who is behind multi-million-dollar plans for the Tomalpin industrial estate near Kurri, admitted to wrongly clearing bushland in December. Rather than prosecute, the council decided to issue four $600 infringement notices, councillors heard last night.

Cr Claire Cosh said the council had promised residents high environmental standards would apply to the estate yet Mr Hardie had illegally cleared several 10-metre wide strips of bushland.

`Once again the environment loses out,' she said.