Aussies warned over fines up to $5,500 for illegal bush trend as winter bites

Residents in NSW are being reminded that significant fines are in place for anyone caught removing timber or disturbing vegetation on the state's Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) network. Source: NSW DPI

As winter properly sets in across the country, Australians are being reminded about where it is and is not acceptable to take firewood from. 

Last week, Yahoo News reported on the Queensland government's alert urging residents not to take wood from the state's national parks, with one ute driver caught on camera filling up his tray with logs. 

Now, the Hunter Local Land Services, a division of the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has taken the opportunity to also warn people there are no exemptions, and significant fines are in place for anyone caught "removing timber or disturbing vegetation" on the state's Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) network. 

On Thursday, a Local Land Services representative told Yahoo News there had been "recent examples" in the Murray region, prompting the warning. Late last month, Murray Local Land Services' Peter O’Shannassy said "a significant rise in the number of illegal firewood removals" had been recorded. 

"While permits are available to collect firewood from selected state forests, Local Land Services does not issue permits for wood collection, and we want to make it very clear that removing either standing or dead timber is not allowed... under any circumstances, and action will be taken against those who are caught," he said. "It takes 100 years for the tree hollows to form, and less than 20 minutes to destroy." 

Australians are also being warned to never take anything from a national park, after a ute driver was caught loading up their car with logs in Queensland. Source: Queensland National Parks

TSRs are sections of publicly owned land in NSW that were originally set aside to allow farmers to move their livestock, such as sheep or cattle, across the countryside. 

Today, TSRs still serve an important role by providing space for emergency grazing during droughts or tough conditions, as well as supporting conservation efforts. 

Many TSRs contain valuable vegetation and habitat for wildlife. "Stock routes are important in dry times for the movement of livestock and are also an extremely valuable refuge for many rare and endangered native plants and animals," an online warning read. 

"Fines of up to $5,500 can apply to people caught carrying out illegal activity on TSRs under the Local Land Services Act 2013." 

Collecting firewood from TSRs is illegal because fallen timber is essential for local ecosystems. It provides shelter and food for numerous different species of insects, birds, reptiles, and other native wildlife. 

Taking wood unlawfully not only can negatively impact the environment, but it also reduces the value of the land for farmers who may rely on it during emergencies. In short, TSRs are a shared natural resource that supports both agriculture and biodiversity, and they need to be protected.

In Australia, it’s also illegal to remove trees, whether dead or alive, from national parks. 

Deadfall logs, branches and leaf litter aren’t waste — they serve as critical habitats and nutrients. They feed many insects, fungi, mosses, and lichens, which in turn support birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Removing them clears away vital shelter and breeding grounds, damages soil health, and impedes natural decomposition, undermining ecosystem function.

Legally, the consequences are severe. In Queensland, for example, offenders face on‑the‑spot fines of about $1,378. Worse still, court action can result in penalties of up to $137,850 for a first offence, and up to $413,550 for subsequent breaches.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo News Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussies-warned-over-fines-up-to-5500-for-illegal-bush-trend-as-winter-bites-021201103.html

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