Wodonga court case sees $3000 fine for illegal cutting of trees

A 77 year old man from Mareeba, Queensland has been prosecuted for the illegal cutting of trees at Wooragee, near Beechworth, last year.

At the Wodonga Magistrates Court on Wednesday the man was found guilty of four offences against the Land (Regulated Watercourse Land) Regulations 2021 for cutting down trees and directing another person to cut trees on regulated land at Wooragee in early 2023.

The man did not attend court, and in his absence, he was fined $3000 with no conviction. His co-accused pleaded guilty earlier this year and was fined $500.

Authorised Officers from the Conservation Regulator found the man and his co-accused cutting trees down on public land adjacent to the Reedy Creek.

In Victoria, it is illegal to cut or remove native vegetation on public land or damage protected flora without authorisation. Illegal cutting and removal of firewood is a serious offence and may result in imprisonment.

The Authorised Officers detected the offending after receiving a report from a member of the public.

The community plays a vital role in protecting our precious natural resources. The Conservation Regulator urges anyone who sees suspicious firewood activity to contact the Conservation Regulator on 136 186.

The Conservation Regulator and Parks Victoria this year launched Taskforce Ironbark, a state-wide initiative targeting illegal commercial firewood theft from public land through a combination of enforcement and education activities to protect our forests, parks, and native wildlife.

For further information on sourcing firewood legally in Victoria visit: Sourcing firewood | vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Greg Chant, Conservation Regulator, Manager Regulatory Operations:

“We are committed to detecting and disrupting firewood theft in our forests and parks. These successful court outcomes send a clear message to perpetrators that they will be caught and punished.”

“Firewood theft is damaging our parks, forests and native wildlife, which is why we’re cracking down on illegal firewood operators across the state through Taskforce Ironbark.”

“We’re utilising methods such as public land patrols and concealed cameras to target offenders, and we encourage all Victorians to play a part in protecting our parks and forests by purchasing firewood from legitimate sources.”