Firewood has been illegally harvested from national parks in the Bega Valley. Photo: Sally Hopman.
While we all want to keep warm as winter creeps across the country, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has reminded people it is illegal to collect firewood from its parks and flora reserves after a spate of recent incidents.
The NPWS claims it has found evidence that members of the public were illegally harvesting firewood in the Bega Valley.
The locations that have been hit are Mimosa Rocks National Park and Biamanga National Park, as well as surrounding nature reserves including Murrah Flora Reserve.
NPWS said dead hollow-bearing trees and woody debris provided shelter for many endangered native animals, so cutting down these trees and removing fallen timber destroyed critical habitat that these animals depend on for their survival.
As a result of the recent incidents in the Bega Valley, the number of staff patrolling firewood collecting hotspots has been increased, while several surveillance cameras have also been installed to detect illegal activities.
“We understand that the weather is cooling, and people are trying to keep themselves warm, however this cannot be done through the illegal collection of firewood in lands managed by NPWS,” the service’s Eurobodalla area manager Jo Issaverdis said.
“Trees and fallen branches in this area provide essential habitat for important native animals including the barking owl, masked owl, powerful owl, koalas, glossy black cockatoo, the southern brown bandicoot, and many more.
“NPWS is committed to conserving native animals in national parks, and we will not hesitate to take action against those found to be destroying areas which play a role in protecting wildlife.”
NPWS warned that those found illegally collecting firewood could be fined, while larger fines could be handed out by the courts.
For instance, last year, NPWS staff uncovered evidence of felled trees in Biamanga National Park and soon after issued a man with a $600 fine.
A spokesperson for NPWS told Region that as the weather has cooled, staff had noticed a significant increase in the number of incidents of illegal firewood collection in Biamanga National Park, Mimosa Rocks National Park and the Murrah Flora Reserve.
“It is an offence under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, Biodiversity Conservation Act or Environmental Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act to collect firewood,” the spokesperson said.
“This carries a minimum $300 fine but may also result in much higher fines or court appearance should the firewood collection be a repeat offence, extensive or involve any threatened species or ecological communities.”
In the north of the state, three individuals in Forbes received $7100 in fines and court costs for the collection of illegal firewood in 2019.
In 2023, two men from Mudgee and Gulgong were issued with penalty infringement notices totaling $2000 for possessing a chainsaw and removing timber in Yarrobil National Park. Two chainsaws were also seized.
Firewood can be collected with a permit in some state forests or purchased from a reputable supplier.
You can report suspicious incidents to the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s Environment Line by clicking here or by calling 1300 361 967.
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