A Kimberley Aboriginal organisation has been handed a suspended $250,000 fine, after pleading guilty to multiple charges of animal cruelty on a well-known Kimberley cattle station.
Nearly 100 cattle died at Noonkanbah Station in 2018, triggering an investigation by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
Almost two years later, 25 animal cruelty charges were brought against both the organisation managing the station, Yungngora Association Incorporated (YAI) and its former CEO, Christopher Stanley Wilkin.
In August, YAI pleaded guilty to 11 charges and maintained not guilty pleas to 14 other animal-cruelty charges, which were later dismissed.
Charges against Mr Wilkin, who had maintained his innocence throughout proceedings, were also dismissed.
At a sentencing hearing for YAI on Friday, the organisation was handed a fine of $250,000, suspended over two years.
Broome magistrate Deen Potter said the fine was appropriate as the organisation had shown genuine remorse, fixed issues at the station and prevented a lengthy, complex trial by pleading guilty.
"The company has made efforts to make sure there was no repeat [incidents]," he said.
In deciding to suspend the fine over two years, Magistrate Potter said the penalty could cause "intergenerational" damage to the community at Noonkanbah.
"It is clear the pastoral property plays a critical role in Noonkanbah community," he said.
Magistrate Potter also imposed conditions forcing the station to ensure a regime was in place for the next five years which would prioritise animal welfare.
Management issues, weather led to deaths
A large number of cattle died in December 2018 in "a single event over a number of days" caused by unseasonably hot weather and inadequate water infrastructure at the property, Magistrate Potter said.
"They [the cattle] died in extreme conditions and in distress," he said.
The court heard 99 cattle died in the incident. Ninety-seven of those were found bogged in mud, one was found dead in a water trough and a calf had been left to fend for itself.
In a statement a DPIRD spokesperson said 85 of the cattle found in distress on the property were euthanased, after water points on the property were "inaccessible or not operational and required urgent repairs".
Friday's sentencing hearing also revealed the incident came after management disagreements at Noonkanbah forced the station's then experienced manager to abruptly leave.
"The sudden departure left the company in dire straits," Magistrate Potter said.
Since the event YAI had spent more than $700,000 on securing water supplies and there had been "amazing" change at the remote station, he said.
Yungngora acknowledges hurt caused
On YAI's behalf, lawyers said guilty pleas were entered in order to "acknowledge" and take "full responsibility" for the "serious animal-welfare incident" at Noonkanbah in 2018.
"YAI would like to acknowledge the distress that these events caused both the Yungngora community and the wider public," the statement reads.
"Since the events in 2018, YAI has independently, and in active cooperation with the relevant authorities, put in place measures to ensure that any re-occurrence is prevented.
"YAI is committed to learn from this sad situation and in continuing the positive advancement of the Yungngora community into the future."
In a statement a DPIRD spokesperson said they were "satisfied" the outcome of the case had "met the public interest to see that those responsible for the care of animals are held accountable".
"The department accepted the pleas of guilty and were satisfied that these charges against YAI reflected the extent of offending on Noonkanbah in December 2018," the spokesperson said.
"The plea of guilty provided certainty of a conviction, without the need for a lengthy trial."
