Blue Mountains City Council has successfully prosecuted a local property owner over an unauthorised development in the municipality.
The property owner was fined more than $22,000 in Katoomba Local Court over the unauthorised building work.
Council says the defendant built a two-storey house with a swimming pool and studio on bushfire prone land in Faulconbridge, without the required development approval.
“By not obtaining a development consent, the property owner bypassed all planning controls and critical stage inspections,” said Council Director of Environment and Planning Services, Will Langevad.
“I’d like to remind everyone in our community that Council requires a robust approval and certification process when it comes to buildings.
“New buildings, and changes to existing buildings, must meet all requirements of the National Construction Code and Planning for Bushfire Protection.
“This is in the interest of the whole community, the safety of the community, including the defendant, and our World Heritage environment,” he said.
The matter was heard at Katoomba Local Court, with the defendant prosecuted for development without consent, contrary to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
The defendant was convicted and fined $22,500, plus $2,380 costs. The Magistrate at Katoomba Local Court took the defendant’s early guilty plea and mitigating circumstances into account, reducing the $30,000 fine by 25%.
