Two Tatura residents have been hit with a combined $35,000 in fines after a Parks Victoria investigation uncovered their black-market firewood enterprise. The 44-year-old man and 31-year-old woman were convicted of six charges by the Shepparton Magistrate’s Court, despite their failure to attend separate hearings on November 22.
The pair were fined $20,000 and $15,000 respectively after being found guilty of illegally cutting, removing and selling firewood from the Lower Goulburn National Park in March 2023. Additional charges included causing damage and disruption to wildlife habitat and native vegetation.
Despite this being their first firewood-related offence, the Presiding Magistrate recognised their actions were part of a broader, illegal firewood operation. Consequently, the chainsaw and trailer used as part of their illegal activity were seized and ordered to be destroyed, while 2.3 cubic metres of seized river red gum will be donated to the community.
The community is urged to report illegal firewood theft or suspicious sellers to Parks Victoria on 13 1963. For more information, visit: www.parks.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/using-firewood
