The high profile case of local prospector Neville Perry has come to a close today, with Mr Perry found not guilty and the charge against him dismissed in the Maryborough Magistrates' Court. 

Mr Perry represented himself across a three-day trial in November against a single charge alleging he knowingly, and without consent, damaged a heritage site between December 2017 and September 2019. 

The charge related to part of a 500-acre property near Dunolly owned by Mr Perry, that contains evidence of mining activity dating back to the 19th-century gold rush. 

Mr Perry purchased the property in 2016 and obtained the relevant prospecting licenses, permits, land and cultural heritage assessments and began mining at the site, however in 2019 was instructed to cease mining by Heritage Victoria, who claimed Mr Perry did not have all the required approvals to undertake the works. 

Speaking earlier today, Magistrate Ross Maxted said to find Mr Perry guilty would "be lowering the bar of criminality too low", finding Mr Perry not guilty and dismissing the charge against him. 

More details and comments to come in next Tuesday's edition of The Advertiser.