Claravale Station owners were allegedly told by Environment Department staff that the NT Environment Protection Agency did not want to see land clearing applications for assessment and were advised to avoid triggering a referral to the supposedly independent watchdog, according to documents obtained under freedom of information laws, but the department has denied its staff provided that advice and said they instead gave instructions about how to adhere to the legislation.

The department also refused to forward media questions to the EPA about the matter, which a governance expert said has the potential to erode the public’s confidence in the independence of the environment regulator.

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