A Mooroopna man was fined $2500 after he pleaded guilty in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on December 1 to four charges relating to the illegal cutting, removal and sale of firewood from public land.
The 54-year-old admitted to illegally taking about 2.79 cubic metres of timber across three occasions in August and October last year from the Lower Goulburn National Park near Shepparton.
The timber was then sold as firewood.
He also pleaded guilty to an offence relating to disturbing wildlife habitat under the Wildlife Regulations 2013.
Conservation Regulator authorised officers detected the man after he was captured on concealed cameras, which were installed as part of a co-ordinated, joint operation between the Conservation Regulator, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Parks Victoria.
Operation River Gum targets illegal, commercial firewood removal from vulnerable ecosystems along the Goulburn, Ovens, Loddon and Murray rivers.
In sentencing, Magistrate Daniel Muling noted the man had accepted the importance of the park as a sanctuary for wildlife and described his actions as “not trivial”.
Domestic firewood collection is only allowed in designated firewood collection areas during the autumn and spring firewood collection seasons and cannot be sold for personal profit.
Office of the Conservation Regulator manager regulatory operations Hume region Greg Chant said there was no excuse for stealing wood from public land and selling it for personal gain.
“These trees are crucial to maintaining the health of our forests and parks, and their loss will have immediate and long-term impacts on wildlife,” he said.
“If we catch you, you risk having chainsaws, trailers and even vehicles used in the commission of these offences seized on the spot. You also face the very real risk of paying a large fine.”
For details of where, when and what firewood can be collected, visit: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/firewood-collection-in-your-region
The community can report the illegal cutting or removal of firewood anonymously by calling 136 186.