Wellington, March 22 NZPA - Silver Fern Irene van Dyk and her husband Antonie have been fined by Greater Wellington Regional Council for clearing gorse on 2.5 hectares of erosian-prone land at their Upper Hutt property.

They were fined $750 for breaching abatement notices and must do remedial work after soil and tree stumps were dumped in two streams, the Dominion Post reported.

A council spokesman said investigations were continuing and further action may be taken.