Shepparton conviction a stark reminder of the consequences of illegal firewood theft
Friday 31 May, 2024
A 53-year-old Mooroopna man has been convicted and fined $1,480 after pleading guilty to two firewood-related offences at the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court last week.
On Tuesday 21 May, the man admitted to destroying wildlife habitat, and illegally taking up to two cubic metres of river red gum timber from Gemmill Swamp Wildlife Reserve in August 2022.
Parks Victoria Authorised Officers detected the offending during Operation Goulburn, which aims to reduce the impacts of illegal firewood theft from vulnerable ecosystems throughout Greater Shepparton.
During sentencing, Magistrate Vaughan described the offending as “serious and significant” in nature. She emphasised the environmental devastation caused by perpetrators of illegal firewood theft, including the financial and ecological impacts it has on local communities.
It is illegal to cut down and remove trees or take fallen or felled timber from Parks Victoria land without authorisation. When trees are cut down or course woody debris such as logs and branches are removed from public land, the habitat values they provide are destroyed.
Gemmill Swamp Wildlife Reserve is home to native wildlife that rely on ancient trees for shelter and food. This includes hollow-nesting birds such as the critically endangered swift parrot, vulnerable squirrel gliders who seek tight-fitting hollows to escape predators, and endangered white-bellied sea-eagles who build impressive nests on tree canopies that often exceed 30 metres in height.
Victorians can legally collect free firewood for personal use from designated collection areas in state forests during the autumn and spring firewood collection seasons. For details on where, when, what and how much wood can be collected, visit Forest Fire Management Victoria’s website.
Parks Victoria encourages members of the public to report environmental crime, including the illegal cutting or removal of timber for firewood, to 13 19 63.
Quotes attributable to Mark Breguet, Parks Victoria Senior Manager Enforcement:
“It is extremely disappointing when protected habitat, including large trees and fallen timber in Gemmill Swamp Wildlife Reserve, are illegally targeted for firewood. There are legal and sustainable ways for people to collect firewood in Victoria and this conviction should serve as a reminder to anyone thinking about doing the wrong thing.”