MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire will seek restoration of vegetation and rectification of earthworks after a Tyabb landowner was convicted of carrying out earthworks and clearing native vegetation without a planning permit.

The landowners and their contractor were fined $29,000 with costs of $18,000 in Frankston Magistrates Court late last year.

In mid-2017, the council’s planning compliance officers began investigating allegations that unapproved works were being carried out at the property. They saw that a significant amount of native vegetation had been cleared.

The mayor Cr David Gill said the council worked hard to investigate illegal building works to protect the amenity of the peninsula.

“We view the destruction of native vegetation without planning approval as a serious offence,” he said.

“Landowners are encouraged to check with the council’s planning department before they start any earthworks or remove any vegetation to determine whether planning permission is required.”

The planning department number is 5950 1010.

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 29 January 2019