16 July 2008
FARMER PROSECUTED FOR STEALING WATER
A farmer in Cockatoo has been successfully prosecuted by Melbourne Water for stealing water from Cockatoo Creek.
Mr Giovanni Magagna, of Cockatoo, pled guilty in Dandenong Magistrates Court on 11 June 2008 to the charge of unauthorised taking and use of water. Mr Magana was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay an additional $3,000 towards Melbourne Water’s court costs.
The Court heard that Melbourne Water’s field officers had on several occasions discovered Mr Magana irrigating his strawberry farm with water taken from Cockatoo Creek, despite the area being on total irrigation bans at the time.
The most recent offences took place at night and over weekends during summer 2007-08.
Melbourne Water’s Diversion Manager, Steve Hosking, said that while water restrictions had obviously put pressure on Mr Magana’s operations, other farmers in the area were subject to similar pressures.
“We understand that the drought has made life difficult for all water users, including farmers,” Mr Hosking said.
“But irrigation restrictions are put in place for good reason, so when someone attempts to ignore them it puts added stress on the environment and the rest of the community.
“The Court’s decision upholds the importance of a licensing system and highlights the consequences of stepping outside it,” he added.
Mr Hosking said farmers who ignored irrigation bans ran the risk of having their licences revoked.
“Melbourne Water is continuing its monitoring program across the Yarra catchment, as well as ensuring farmers understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to waterways,” he said.
Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes +613 9235 7277 +61 (0)403 930 846