'They've been pushed and pushed': Mayor not surprised by shooting
The volatile issue of land clearing has emerged after the shooting death of a government environment officer in northern NSW.
Police found the body of a 51-year-old NSW Environment and Heritage Office worker at a property north of Moree on Tuesday afternoon.
The Tamworth-based worker, named by The Moree Champion as Glendon Turner, was reportedly at the property to serve a notice in relation to the clearing of vegetation.
Ian Turnbull, 79, a long-standing farmer in the area, has been charged with murder and faced Moree local court on Wednesday.
Glendon Turner died after he was allegedly hit in the back with a bullet, after several shots were fired.
Moree Plains Shire mayor Katrina Humphries says environmental issues including land clearing and coal seam gas exploration have been a source of frustration in the rural community.
"This is why I say, and I am not saying it flippantly and I mean it, I am not surprised this has happened," she told AAP.
"Because I know people have been pushed and pushed and pushed. This is their life and this is their livelihood."
Northern NSW ecologist Phil Spark said the farmer had cleared about 100 hectares of land.
"... and a lot of that is koala habitat so that has been a real conflict between conservation and this farmer having the right to clear his land," he told ABC Radio.
Photo: Cady Anderson, Moree Champion
The NSW Public Service Association says the tragedy highlights the need for better risk assessment.
"The protection of the environment is an issue that generates great passion with strong feelings on both sides of the argument," acting general secretary Steve Turner said in a statement.
NSW Environment Minister Rob Stokes said he was deeply saddened by the death.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and tight knit staff of the Office of Environment and Heritage at this most difficult time", Mr Stokes said.
"It is hard to fathom how it is that someone who leaves for work in the morning does not return in the afternoon."
"On behalf of the Chief Executive OEH Terry Bailey and my colleagues in the NSW Government, our hearts go out to all those who have been impacted by this tragedy."
According to Fairfax, the victim was a father-of-six who had informed an elderly farmer that there would be a formal inspection of his property because he was suspected of illegally clearing vegetation.
