A LANGWARRIN landowner has been fined $15,000 for illegally removing vegetation.
Last year, Frankston Council identified that vegetation may have been illegally removed from 565 McClelland Drive in Langwarrin. The site, which sits next to Peninsula Private Hospital, is privately owned. In December the property owner was fined $15,000 at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court. In a statement, Frankston Council said “the Magistrate found the landowner to be in breach of offences including removal of protected vegetation, the use of the land as a store, and buildings and works without the required permits.” The property owner was also ordered to pay nearly $4000 to cover council’s legal costs.
Frankston councillor Cherie Wanat said the outcome “sent a strong message that there are serious consequences for those undertaking any unlawful destruction of the natural environment in Frankston City.” “Our community places immense value on green spaces and urban canopy, not just in leafy Langwarrin but the municipality as whole. The environmental, aesthetic and wellbeing benefits that trees and natural vegetation provide need to be adequately protected,” Wanat said. “Our commitment to enhance and protect Frankston City’s valued environment is clear. If property owners remove or destroy vegetation without the proper permissions, council will investigate and take appropriate action.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 11 February 2025