Home / Environment / Plantation Fined $141,000 for Destroying Endangered Honeysuckle Habitat
Plantation Fined $141,000 for Destroying Endangered Honeysuckle Habitat
27 Oct
Summary
- Plantation cleared 16 hectares of land, including endangered round-leaf honeysuckle
- Fined $141,000 for actions over 5 months, stopped from further devastation
- Magistrate says punishment aims to deter other companies from similar actions
In October 2025, a plantation in Western Australia was held accountable for its environmental destruction. The Blue Whale Farm Plantation had cleared 16 hectares of land, including the endangered round-leaf honeysuckle, over a five-month period in 2022. However, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation detected the changes through satellite imagery and intervened, preventing further devastation.
Magistrate Anthony Sullivan of the Bunbury Magistrates Court imposed a hefty fine of $141,000 on the company, stating that this was a "serious breach to the natural environment." The punishment was intended not only to address the specific incident but also to deter other companies from engaging in similar unlawful activities that harm the local ecosystem.
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River President, Julia Meldrum, expressed the community's distress over the loss of the unique plant life, describing it as "quite devastating." The round-leaf honeysuckle is found in only a few places in the country, making its preservation crucial.
The authorities' swift action and the substantial fine demonstrate the importance of environmental protection laws in Western Australia and the government's commitment to holding accountable those who disregard the natural landscape.
