An Auckland man responsible for illegal earthworks which removed 18m of a public footpath and concreted over a stormwater culvert has had a massive fine reduced on appeal.

Alexander Banora earlier pleaded guilty to four charges stemming from bungled work undertaken by himself, or under his instruction, without building consent at his Wolverton St, Avondale property.

The work undermined the public path, still closed three years on, and spread earthworks over a nearly 700 square meter area on flood-prone land.

It also removed public wastewater pipes. The work contravened both the Resource Management and Building Acts, earning a fine of $67,050 for two charges under each act, imposed by Judge Melanie Harland in the Auckland District Court in late 2018.

But that was reduced on appeal by Justice Ian Gault at a High Court hearing in April, who deemed the earlier sentence "manifestly excessive".

Justice Gault imposed a fine of $44,550 and said Banora showed "belligerence" in ignoring notices to stop and fix the disastrous earthworks.

Read the full article on stuff.co.nz here