Govt fined for destroying sacred tree in the Territory

A Northern Territory government department has been fined $26,000 for destroying a sacred site lightning tree during construction of an outback road.

The NT Department of Logistics and Infrastructure pleaded guilty in the NT Local Court to destroying a sacred site in 2021, while building the road in Arlparra, a remote Aboriginal community 200 kilometres north of Alice Springs.

Judge David Bamber said the department was responsible for ensuring works do not breach sacred site obligations and for paying them more than just “lip-service”.

The Territory’s sacred sites watchdog has criticised the department’s approach to the case for leading to “contested and protracted” court proceedings.

Tree was missing

In the lead-up to the road construction the department obtained two licences from the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority and the Central Land Council that stated the tree must not be damaged.

Then in July 2021, during works on the road the roots of the tree were disturbed by a grader clearing the land.

Months later local custodians of the land for d there tree was missing and the department admitted it had been removed.

Judge Bamber accepted the department had already paid compensation to the Central Land Council, but still fined them $26,000 for the damage, including a $1,000 victim’s levy.