Protester guilty of public safety offences at Lake Boort

A man from Maldon has been found guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court for breaking public safety laws at Lake Boort on the closing weekend of the 2024 duck hunting season.

A man from Maldon has been found guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court for breaking public safety laws at Lake Boort on the closing weekend of the 2024 duck hunting season.

The man was ordered to pay $500 to the court fund and was placed on a good behaviour bond until 9 March 2027 for offences including interfering with a person hunting and taking game.

GMA Director of Compliance and Intelligence Zac Powell said, “Those who oppose duck hunting have the right to protest, however, they must do so safely and legally.”

“Public safety laws are in place to protect all members of the community including hunters, Authorised Officers and protestors themselves.”

“There are significant penalties for people unlawfully entering, or remaining on a specified hunting area, approaching hunters within 10 metres or interfering with, hindering, harassing or obstructing hunters.”

Hunters and the public are urged to report illegal hunting and illegal protester activity to the GMA through its website www.gma.vic.gov.au or the Customer Contact Centre on 136 186, or by contacting Victoria Police.

The GMA assesses all reports of illegal behaviour and works closely with its partner agencies to conduct enforcement and compliance operations across Victoria.

For information on public safety on wetlands, visit: https://shorturl.at/Ov1up

Contact: Nick Foster | 0417 293 365 | nick.foster@gma.vic.gov.au