A Wimmera man has been charged with 113 offences after allegedly clearing native vegetation from an area of the Cherrypool State Forest, south of Horsham, adjacent to his property in February 2023.
The 51-year-old is accused of illegally cutting and removing more than 100 native trees, dumping more than 1000 litres of waste, and using a vehicle to damage public land without authorisation.
It is also alleged the man disturbed two protected native plants – the narrow-leaved wattle and sphagnum moss – species that are part of protected genera under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
Investigators said the plants were important for maintaining biodiversity by protecting soil quality and providing habitat for small birds.