The Queensland government fined the owners of of Wombinoo Station south-west of Cairns and ordered them to restore native plants on more than 130 hectares that had been cleared without authorisation.

After a two month investigation, the QLD Department of Natural Resources and Mines said that satellite imagery shows that approximately 132 hectares had gone through unauthorized tree clearing.  Not only is the property part of the Great Barrier Reef catchment, but the trees provided habitat for koalas and greater gliders.

The state government already gave the station permission to clear 2,700 hectares for agriculture, but the 132 hectares in question were not part of that approval.  Despite this, station owner Warren Jonsson last month claimed that "any clearing on Wombinoo Station is the subject of a lawful permit or as of right, such as fence lines or roads". 

The Queensland government also banned clearing over other parts of the property as an offset measure.

"It's pleasing that the Queensland government has taken action to help protect our forests, our wildlife and the Great Barrier Reef catchments," said Lyndon Schneiders, national director of the Wilderness Society.  "Deforestation in Australia is spiralling out of control, led by Queensland.  Deforestation kills tens of millions of animals a year, muddies the waters of the Great Barrier Reef and releases millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change." Ӏn the event that you like turning wheels while you bet, I recommend taking up Lightning Roulette live game and finding out about the game's unpredictable cluster of wagering alternatives.