A HEATHRIDGE man pleaded guilty in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on August 5 after being charged for illegally driving a vehicle on state land in Mindarie in December 2021.
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) said the 50-year-old man drove past a big CCTV camera and a sign stating vehicle access was prohibited and continued onto the property.
A DPLH spokeswoman said he was charged with driving on state land at Marmion Ave and failing to obey signage.
“This property is a Bush Forever site and is home to endangered flora and fauna,’’ she said.
“Vehicle access to this land can cause considerable impact, including the erosion of fire tracks, introduction of invasive weeds/plants and impact to habitat.
“It also increases the prevalence of rubbish dumping and fires.’’
She said managing those issues had significant safety, environmental and financial implications which could be reduced if people obeyed signage and stayed out of areas where access was prohibited.
The man was fined $500 and ordered to pay costs of $500 with a spent conviction ordered.
DPLH said it recognised the importance of the court’s decision and hoped it would deter others from illegally entering protected bushland managed by the state government.
