Port Fairy Golf Club to pay $3,500 over destruction of protected flora

In Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the club pleaded guilty to removing Coast Beard-heath during maintenance works on part of the golf course between 1 May 2023 and 31 July 2023.

The Conservation Regulator led prosecution was substantiated by the Magistrate who imposed a two-year adjourned undertaking requiring that the Port Fairy Golf Club be of good behaviour and pay $3,500 to the Court fund.

Coast Beard-heath is protected under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, and it is illegal to harm or destroy it without a permit.

Port Fairy Golf Club is located on leased Crown land, and the club is responsible for protecting native wildlife and vegetation on the site.

Quotes attributable to Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens

'The Conservation Regulator takes the preservation of all protected native flora and fauna species seriously.

'This result shows that the preservation of our protected native species is important, and all Victorians need to make themselves aware of their legal obligations before destroying our protected plant species.'