A Tasmanian farming couple, Melissa and William Fergusson, have spoken out after being fined $100,000 for clearing trees on their own property, saying the penalty shows regulators care more about money than the environment. The Forest Practices Authority (FPA) detected the unauthorised clearing via satellite imagery and initially imposed a $132,000 fine for clearing and converting 19 hectares of land on the couple's east coast farm, Grindstone Bay Pastoral, which they have run since 2006. The case highlights growing tension between Tasmanian farmers and environmental regulators over routine land management practices.

The Fergussons offered to restore 27 hectares, more land than they had cleared, but were told the fine would remain unchanged; a Magistrates Court appeal later reduced the penalty to $100,000 while still ruling against them. Ms Fergusson described the outcome as "mortifying," arguing the land was scrubby and already grazed rather than pristine forest, and accused the FPA of ignoring mitigating factors. The FPA defended the fine as necessary to deter breaches of the Forest Practices Act and prevent unfair advantages over compliant landowners, while a livestock agent called for better consultation between regulators and farmers, amid claims that enforcement action against farmers has increased in recent years.