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Queensland’s biggest ever fine handed down for illegal tree clearing was issued with the help of satellites.

 

Finlay and Valerie Cocks must pay $112,000 for clearing 320 hectares of native vegetation on a property near Dingo.

 

Queensland Environment Minister Kate Jones says satellite images exposed the clearing, and that the fine is appropriate.

 

"This remnant vegetation is habitat to seven threatened and endangered species, including the bridled nail-tailed wallaby," she said.

 

"We have strict laws in Queensland to stop people clearing key habitat, and what this fine shows is that the courts are taking this very seriously."