UPDATED 2.20pm: A DEPARTMENT of Environment and Heritage worker was shot dead yesterday on a Croppa Creek property, 55 kilometres north of Moree.
Senior compliance officer Glen Turner, a 51-year-old Tamworth man, was killed at about 5.40pm when he was attempting to serve a notice for illegal clearing of native vegetation.
A 79-year-old man was arrested at a nearby property at 11pm on Tuesday night without incident and was taken to Moree police station. Ian Turnbull of Croppa Creek was charged with murder this morning and has been refused bail. The matter has been adjourned and will be heard in Moree Local Court on August 5.
Department chief executive Terry Bailey said Mr Turner had been a NSW public servant since 2000 and moved to the department from Natural Resources in 2007.
“Glen was one of our most experienced compliance officers,” Mr Bailey said.
“He was a respected and well-liked colleague and friend to many. Glen is survived by his wife Alison and their two children who are in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
“The loss of a colleague touches us all, even more so under such tragic circumstances."
The Turnbull family, who own the properties "Colorado" and "Strathdoon", totalling more than 2500 hectares, have previously been charged with illegally clearing native vegetation. Ian's son Grant Turnbull and grandson Cory along with his wife Donna Turnbull - who bought their properties from Mr Turnbull in 2012 - appealed the court's decision in July this year.
A neighbouring farmer told Fairfax Agricultural Media that the incident was a shock to the community.
“It’s just unbelievable. We knew the tree clearing stuff was an ongoing issue for him but no good can come of this,” he said.
“Everyone is just in shock. You don’t expect this sort of thing to happen.”
Another departmental worker was with the victim when he was shot, and he is understood to be in shock but is otherwise uninjured. The workers were reportedly shot at multiple times.
Environment Minister Rob Stokes said he is shocked and deeply saddened by reports that an officer with the Office of Environment and Heritage died on duty.
“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."
NSW Farmers president Fiona Simson offered condolences to both of the families involved.
"We are saddened by the loss of life and our thoughts are with both families and the communities affected at this difficult time," she said.
Mr Stokes and Mr Bailey will be travel to Tamworth and Armidale tomorrow to meet with Glen’s family and local department staff.
