Willmott, 47, of Ulladulla and co-accused Mark Afflick, 48, of Mollymook both pleaded guilty in Nowra Local Court in a case brought by Shoalhaven City Council.

The case revolves around a property at 189-193 on the Princes Highway at Ulladulla at which a number of mature native trees were cleared without consent in November 2017.

The court heard Willmott, who runs Your Urban Designer, was acting for the Sydney owners of the property and had told Afflick approval had been given consent to clear the site.

Shoalhaven City Council said it had given conditional approval to demolish a timber frame and metal roof cottage at 193 Princes Highway, which was was part of a larger development site taking in 189-193.

Council said it received another development application for the site in August 2017, to undertake further work, but it did not seek consent for tree removal.

In a statement council said “due to the lack of information submitted with the application the DA was unable to be determined by council and had therefore no consent issued”.

In November 2017 a council officer noticed an excavator being driven by Afflick clearing a number of mature native trees on the property - work which hadn't been approved.

Another council officer attended the property and asked Afflick what he was doing who said he was “acting under the instruction of John Willmott”, who had “told him there was permission to clear the trees”.

Council stated at least 10 mature native trees including silver top ash trees, wattles, sheoaks, red bloodwood trees and trees, were cleared.

The council officer also spoke to Mr Willmott on the telephone, who claimed they had approval.

Shoalhaven City Council in its evidence stated Mr Willmott was a former councillor and had knowledge of the planning system and the requirements of demolition consent.

The offence carries a maximum fine of $110,000.

Magistrate Gabriel Fleming fined both men $3000 and ordered they pay council’s professional costs of $1500.

Read more: Crime/Court