The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is reminding the central west community that collection of firewood from national parks, nature reserves and state conservation areas is illegal.
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Significant fines apply to anyone caught removing timber, including fallen trees and deadwood, from NPWS managed land.
NPWS Area Manager Sarah Carr said a number of people have been caught collecting firewood from NPWS land in the central west and were recently issued with warnings and infringement notices.
NPWS manages a number of conservation reserves around the central west area including Weddin Mountains, Nangar, Goobang, Conimbla and Lachlan Valley National Parks and South West Woodland Nature Reserves including West Cookeys Plains and Blow Clear West precincts.
“It’s important to remind people that firewood collection, including removal of fallen timber is illegal, and significant penalties can apply,” Ms Carr said.
“The removal of timber can have a range of environmental impacts including soil erosion and loss of vital habitat for native animals, birds and insects. Dead wood such as branches, logs and standing trees all provide essential habitat.
“National parks are refuge areas for native animals looking for shelter from the cooler weather.
“We would also like to remind the community that it is an offence to bring a chainsaw into protected areas and on-the-spot fines apply.”
For further information contact the Central West Area NPWS office on 6332 7640.
