Forty-year-old Natasha Spiller of Tabulam has pleaded guilty to intentionally causing fire and being reckless to its spread, with the result that 18 homes, 49 outbuildings and 7500 hectares of land were burnt between Tabulam and Drake earlier this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Ms Spiller admitted to lighting a rubbish fire inside a drum on February 12 before it escaped into bushland adjacent to the Bruxner Highway.
On Wednesday in Casino local court Ms Spiller's solicitor Vince Boss told media that his client was "very upset" and that her world had "fallen apart", a statement backed up by other members of the Tabulam community.
READ ALSO:
Those people, who lost property in the fire, have praised Ms Spiller's actions during the event, in which she personally apologised to every affected landholder for her mistake, and continued to help in the rescue effort by supporting a fundraiser on social media.
During a previous blaze at Tabulam last year she volunteered her time to support Rural Fire Service.
Ms Spiller did not appear in court but her solicitor said his client was a long standing member of the community and felt that "she let a lot of people down".
Her case was adjourned to April 3.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a Bonalbo woman who lit a rubbish bin blaze last Friday, during strong winds on the back of cyclone Oma, and which let it get away, has been less apologetic and was remanded in custody without bail after appearing on Tuesday in Lismore Local Court.
Leah Angela Braid, 49, has been charged with lighting the fire which allegedly ignited surrounding paddocks along the Clarence Way. She was charged with assaulting police and resisting arrest.
The court heard Ms Braid had last year been sentenced to three months' prison for animal cruelty offences. She had been on a good behavior bond at that time for previous cruelty actions. She was later given a suspended prison sentence for intimidation.
Ms Braid's case has been adjourned until March 11.
