Fresh abuse charges laid against Tully

But the ACT Magistrates Court has also heard there may be as many as eight alleged victims of Cameron Flynn Tully.

The number of complainants formally included in the charges against Tully has now swelled to four, after fresh charges were laid this afternoon.

Police say the alleged crimes occurred at the Tully's "Hillview" property in Cook in the 1980s and early 2000s, and investigations are ongoing into other complainants.

But Tully, who was supported by a gathering of family members in court today, has maintained his innocence.

His wife Kathleen also entered the witness box on his behalf today, dismissing the allegations as lies.

He has pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges before the court, and his lawyer said today that at least two of the girls were serial complainers.

Tully's advocate disputed evidence from the police informant that the first three complainants came forward independently of each other.

The accused man's strict bail conditions had prevented him from returning to the family farm or being left alone with a child in a private place without a supervising adult.

But the Commonwealth department project manager, who was stood down from his job after the allegations came to light, asked for his bail to be changed.

The court heard Hillview was a barrier protecting West Belconnen from the ravages of bushfire and Tully was needed on the farm to conduct slashing.

The man told the ACT Magistrates Court Hillview's fire management practices played a role in sparing the adjacent areas from the 2003 firestorm.

Magistrate Beth Campbell agreed to let the man return to the property between the hours of 7am and 10am and 4pm and 8pm.

But she also banned him from approaching within 20m any of the six homes on the farm aside from his own.

The matter is due back in court in February.