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Help Needed To Crack Down On Illegal Firewood CollectionLatrobe City Council is calling on the community to help identify firewood poachers who are illegally destroying stands of native vegetation around Lake Narracan and a number of other bushland reserves across the municipality. By Latrobe City Council - 8th October 2009 - Back to News Latrobe City deputy mayor, Cr Kellie O’Callaghan, said drivers, bushwalkers, cyclists, fishermen, horse riders, water sport users and picnickers are being asked to keep an eye out for firewood cutters in bush areas and pass on vehicle details to council’s local laws officers.
"Other than on private land with the landowner’s permission, or in well advertised firewood permit areas, cutting firewood is likely to be illegal. The sound of a chainsaw on public land other than in specific and well signposted firewood collection permit area in state forests, should ring alarm bells," Cr O’Callaghan said.
"To give an example of where illegal activity is leading to a loss of bushland, a significant amount of unauthorised native vegetation removal has occurred around Lake Narracan. Much of the removal is happening in restricted access areas of the lake which a number of clubs with recreational interests have access to.
"We’re certainly not pointing the finger at the clubs themselves, but are contacting them and asking them to redouble efforts to ensure gates are locked after entering and leaving their facilities to deter illegal firewood collectors. We are also asking them to report details of utilities stacked with timber or vehicles towing a trailer load of wood that they may encounter.
Cr O’Callaghan said recent temporary changes to the law in respect to gathering firewood from roadside reserves also needed to be clearly understood.
"A permit from the Department of Sustainability and Environment, with the consent of council, is still required for firewood removal from any roadside other than in one specific circumstance.
"That circumstance is when the CFA is to conduct a burn to reduce fuel on a roadside reserve and council is satisfied that the collection of firewood prior to the burn would not pose any road or pedestrian safety issues.
"Where the criteria is met, advertisements in local newspapers and through signs on the site of the fuel reduction burn will advise the public that fallen firewood for personal use may be collected without obtaining a permit, for a period of two weeks leading up to the burn. No standing timber may be cut down however," Cr O’Callaghan added.
If the public encounter firewood collecting in our reserves, or other prohibited activities such as illegal dumping of rubbish, please do not approach the person/s but contact Latrobe City Council local laws team on 1300 367 700, and where possible provide the make, type and registration plates of the vehicles.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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