A 67,000-hectare cattle property in Australia faced a land-clearing case for years; a signed settlement will now protect 80 hectares along the Daly River

A 67,000-hectare cattle property in Australia's Northern Territory has reached a formally signed settlement following a prolonged legal dispute over alleged unauthorised land clearing. The government first announced an agreement in March 2025, but it remained unsigned for more than a year as legal proceedings continued. The case concerned allegations that 286 hectares had been cleared without a permit. Under the settlement, the owners must revegetate and protect an approximately 80-hectare area along the Daly River. The agreement also provides for a registered covenant restricting future clearing and requiring the land to be protected for the benefit of the river environment.Why did the Claravale land-clearing case drag onAccording to ABC News, the legal dispute dates back to late 2023, when the then-Labor government initiated proceedings against Claravale following allegations of unpermitted land clearing. The action came amid national scrutiny of land clearing associated with the Northern Territory's cotton industry. The prosecution involved allegations that 286 hectares of the property had been cleared without the necessary permit, in contravention of the Territory's planning laws.According to the Northern Territory Department of Lands, Planning and Environment's Notice of Outcome – Claravale Farm prosecution matter, it received a complaint on 18 November 2021 alleging unpermitted clearing of native vegetation at NT Portion 1188, Dorisvale Road, Claravale, known as Claravale Farm. The department investigated the complaint, and on 14 November 2023, the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics determined that the matter should be prosecuted. Charges were filed on 15 November 2023 against two individuals and a company for alleged breaches of section 75C(2) of the Planning Act 1999.How will the Claravale settlement protect the Daly RiverThe settlement establishes environmental protection measures along the Daly River, including the revegetation of an approximately 80-hectare area within Claravale Farm. According to the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment's notice, the agreement provides for a covenant in gross to be registered over the property. This covenant is intended to bind current and future landowners to restrictions on clearing and disturbing native vegetation within the designated area.Under the department's published terms, the protected area must be revegetated, kept free of weeds and not used for agricultural activities, industrial operations or other business endeavours. The covenant will protect native vegetation along the river's northern bank across a 1.5-kilometre section of Claravale Farm, with the protected strip extending 250 metres from the river. The covenant had been designed by the parties to improve environmental outcomes for the Daly River and bring Claravale Farm into line with the Northern Territory Planning Scheme Land Clearing Guidelines concerning native vegetation buffers along rivers.Why was the Claravale settlement delayedThe case continued after the government announced in March 2025 that a settlement had been reached. The agreement had not been signed by the owners, meaning the matter continued to be listed in court. The property owners and the neighbouring Claravale Farm were listed for sale in late 2025, with the owners seeking more than $30 million for the property. Earlier in 2026, the case was listed in the Darwin Local Court after the Northern Territory government attempted to prevent the property from being sold.The eventual settlement retained the original terms. In comments to the broadcaster, Burgoyne said he was pleased the matter had been finalised and that the land adjoining the Daly River would be protected into the future. The defendants acknowledged clearing vegetation without a permit on another section of Claravale Farm. The agreed settlement therefore combines the resolution of the prosecution with a legally registered mechanism intended to protect and restore a designated section of riverbank vegetation.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.