Reality television celebrity Matt Wright has been handed a $10,000 fine for operating helicopters from his residential property in a manner described by a judge as 'cavalier' and disruptive to his neighbours. The Outback Wrangler star, currently serving jail time for attempting to pervert the course of justice after a fatal helicopter crash, pleaded guilty to contravening a development permit.
Judge Condemns 'Egregious' Behaviour
During proceedings at Darwin Local Court on Monday, Judge Greg Macdonald highlighted Wright's intentional breach of an enforcement notice issued to prevent helicopter flights to and from his home. The specific violation occurred on April 26, 2024, despite clear restrictions.
'His offending was egregious, cavalier, indicative of someone who might be said to be thumbing their nose,' Judge Macdonald stated. He emphasised that landing helicopters in residential areas, even on five-acre blocks, would be 'quite disturbing and disruptive to the peace of the neighbourhood,' noting a childcare centre was located less than 500 metres away.
Neighbour Complaints and Legal Battles
Wright's neighbours had initially complained to the Development Consent Authority in 2021, expressing frustration over noisy choppers landing and taking off near their bushland homes in Virginia, approximately 30 kilometres from Darwin. Wright appealed the authority's enforcement notice to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal, arguing he had the right to use his helicopters 'like a motor car,' but the tribunal rejected his claim.
The 46-year-old celebrity did not appear in court from jail on Monday. His lawyer, Luke Officer, requested leniency, citing Wright's 'financially devastating' Supreme Court trial. Officer noted that Wright, now imprisoned and having lost his air operating certificate and pilot's licence, posed no risk of repeat offending. 'He can't fly a helicopter any more and he's sold his property,' Officer told the court.
Financial Strain and Community Impact
Judge Macdonald acknowledged that Wright's world was 'crumbling into a quagmire' of legal conflict in April 2024, but maintained the seriousness of the offence. He considered Wright's contributions to the community and positive character references from his Supreme Court sentencing, yet imposed the $10,000 fine after observing Wright's 'spectacular fall from grace.'
When questioned about Wright's ability to pay the fine, Officer responded 'very little,' explaining that Wright's once-successful tourism businesses had dwindled to just two operations following his costly trial.
Background of Fatal Crash and Convictions
Wright remains incarcerated for attempting to pervert the course of justice related to a February 2022 helicopter crash that killed his best mate and co-star, Chris 'Willow' Wilson, and left pilot Sebastian Robinson paraplegic. The incident occurred during a crocodile-egg collecting expedition in Arnhem Land, with Wilson suspended on a line below the chopper to access nests in remote swampland.
In December, Acting Justice Alan Blow sentenced Wright to 10 months in prison on two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, suspended after five months served. Prosecutors alleged Wright lied to crash investigators about fuel levels, attempted to coerce Robinson into falsifying flying hours, and asked a friend to 'torch' the helicopter's maintenance release. A jury found Wright guilty on the first two counts in August, while failing to reach a verdict on the third accusation.
The prosecution did not claim Wright caused the crash, Wilson's death, or Robinson's injuries, but alleged he feared investigators would discover flying-hour meters were regularly disconnected to extend operational hours beyond official limits, with falsified paperwork to match. Wright plans to appeal these convictions.
