Fined plus chainsaw destroyed

Oct 7, 2022

A Nathalia man has been convicted, fined $1000 and will have his chainsaw destroyed after pleading guilty to charges relating to illegal firewood collection in the Lower Goulburn National Park last year.

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The man was convicted in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on September 26 after admitting to illegally cutting and taking about two cubic metres of river red gum timber from public land near Nathalia in August 2021.

He pleaded guilty to five charges relating to disturbing wildlife habitat, illegal firewood collection, illegal off-road driving and obstructing an authorised officer.

The magistrate also ordered the destruction of the seized wood and chainsaw.

Conservation Regulator-authorised officers detected the offending during Operation Rivergum patrols

Operation Rivergum is a joint operation between the Conservation Regulator, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Parks Victoria to address illegal firewood removal from vulnerable ecosystems along the Murray River corridor.

It targets people who are removing firewood in large quantities for commercial gain and in doing so, destroying areas of wildlife habitat and native vegetation.

“The loss of these important trees seriously impacts our native species living in the Lower Goulburn National Park, and this conviction should serve as a reminder to anyone thinking about illegally cutting and taking timber from our parks and forests that they will be caught and face consequences,” Hume region regulatory program manager Andrew Dean said.

In Victoria, it is illegal to cut or take fallen or felled trees on public land without authorisation.

For more information about firewood regulation in Victoria, visit: www.vic.gov.au/collecting-firewood

Anyone with information about illegal firewood take or other environmental crime can report it to DELWP on 136 186 and can remain anonymous.