A Lennox Head tree contractor who said his business and family had been vilified over controversial clearing at Ross Lane has been vindicated by a State Government investigation.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has completed its investigation into tree clearing at 516 Ross Lane.

Ballina Shire Council has been advised DCCEEW considers the clearing to be in line with allowable activities under the Local Land Services Act and “did not find sufficient evidence of an offence warranting further compliance action”.

The finding clears the way for the landholder’s remaining planned clearing to proceed, with Lennox Head Tree Care indicating work would recommence as early as today.

It is a significant conclusion to a controversy which exploded in Ballina Shire Council chambers in July, when Lennox Head Tree Care owner David Stone described the personal and professional toll of accusations surrounding the work.

“My business has been vilified,” Mr Stone told councillors.

Mr Stone said his staff had been abused and his family had received hate mail following publicity surrounding the clearing.

He strongly defended the work and maintained it had been carried out in accordance with the relevant requirements.

The controversy followed community concern about the removal of native vegetation and impacts on wildlife, including sugar gliders recovered from felled trees.

Greens councillor Kiri Dicker subsequently sought to have Ballina Shire Council formally express concern about the clearing and call for a full review into whether it was permissible.

But the motion was defeated 5-3 after a heated debate, with the majority of councillors arguing the State Government investigation should be allowed to run its course rather than Council reaching its own conclusion.

Cr Phil Meehan said at the time he would not participate in making a judgment “without the evidence and without the information”.

Tree clearing at 516 Ross Lane sparked a bitter public controversy and heated Council debate in July.

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader also cautioned against what she described as a “trial by social media”.

Cr Dicker strongly defended her actions during the debate, saying she had never claimed the clearing was illegal and had never named Lennox Head Tree Care as the contractor involved.

She said residents had elected her to be “a voice for nature” and argued Council should take a moral position on the clearing.

The State Government investigation has now run its course.

DCCEEW considers the clearing to be an allowable activity under the Local Land Services Act and found insufficient evidence of an offence warranting further compliance action.

The remaining clearing planned by the landholder can now proceed.