Hefty fine as illegal logger fronts court

Gordon Parkinson was convicted in Wodonga Magistrates Court on Monday after a raid at his home last August.

More than 120 cubic metres of illegally removed wood was uncovered at the property.

Parkinson was fined and ordered to pay costs of $11,166 and had a chainsaw, hydraulic wood splitter and other items confiscated.

He had been selling the wood, which was taken from public land, from the property.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning will run a new operation starting in April in a bid to catch those involved in illegal logging. 

Senior Forest Investigator Greg Chant said there had been recent cases in Beechworth, Yackandandah and Stanley.

River red gums along the Murray River were also targeted.

He said Parkinson’s stockpile of 123 cubic metres of native hardwood timber was one of the largest he had seen at a residential address.

“This sort of illegal activity starts to increase from now through to September or October,” Mr Chant said.

“It coincides with the cooler months when people need firewood to keep warm.

“We have intelligence holdings on the illegal hotspots across the state and we direct our authorised officers to conduct trials and investigations in those areas.”

Mr Chant said the trees were often felled in areas previously cleared, which put increased environmental pressure on those areas.

“The unregulated removal is done with no knowledge as to the consequences,” he said.

“That’s where our biggest concern is.”

Operation Axe will run statewide during the colder months. 

Mr Chant said not all wood removed from public land was on-sold and was often for personal use. 

“We’re targeting the illegal commercial supplies,” he said. 

“We have the power to stop anyone with forest produce in their possession.”