Hunter in DA breach

Wallace Alan Hunter

FORMER Nationals candidate for the Federal seat of Richmond, Wallace Alan Hunter, has been found guilty of an unauthorised development by Byron Bay Local Court.

In an action brought by Byron Bay Shire Council after a neighbour's complaint, the candidate for the 2010 election pleaded guilty to devel- oping land not in accordance with development consent.

"These conditions are put in place to ensure there is sustainable land use in Byron Shire," the council's corporate governance manager Ralf James said outside the court.

"It is not for individual land owners, no matter who they are, to decide they do not wish to comply with laws that are in place for the benefit of the wider Byron Shire community."

He said the council would ask the court to impose a "substantial" fine and award legal costs of $2200 a day.

Two recent convictions for similar offences resulted in fines of $20,000 and $37,000. The maximum fine is $100,000.

Mr James said Mr Hunter had received approval to excavate part of his Myocum property in 2009.

But in November staff from the council discovered the excavated site was 60% longer and 10% wider than permitted.

The sentence will be handed down on March 20.