AS RISING gas prices are predicted to add an extra 30 per cent to home heating costs, Junee Shire Council is cracking down on collecting wood.
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The council has begun the crackdown after trees were felled near Old Sydney Road.
Acting mayor Pam Halliburton said the felling of trees both dead and alive on public land was unacceptable.
Council will enforce restrictions on public land for collecting wood for profit, felling of any tree and picking up fallen wood from nominated conservation areas.
Councillor Halliburton said councillors were also concerned about road safety, damage to farm fences and the destruction of the shire’s remaining habitat.
“We want to crack down on people who are collecting commercially as well as people felling standing trees which are dead or alive,” Cr Halliburton said.
“It’s sad people are flouting the law with regard to cutting down standing trees.”
She said several warnings had been issued to people and fines had been issued.
Council’s general manager James Davis slammed the behaviour of people who have collected wood to sell from public land.
“It’s disappointing that individuals have behaved in this way,” Mr Davis said.
“Not only is it an offence to do so, but there is a moral obligation to protect standing timber where possible.”
Mr Davis urged members of the public to contact council if they witnessed trees being felled.
During July’s council meeting, councillors voted for a policy to be developed to address the problem.
Cr Halliburton said there was a need to balance both people’s need to heat their homes as well as the protection of the environment.
“In the meantime, because we are concerned with the very cold weather we’re experiencing, we have no issue with people collecting dead and fallen wood for their personal use,” she said.
While staff are developing the policy, Cr Halliburton said rules about felling trees and selling fallen wood would be enforced by council staff.
Mr Davis said the restrictions in place would only apply to roadsides under council’s control and other government authorities had the power to issue fines whatever council’s policy.
Nominated conservation areas where it is illegal to remove fallen wood is available on council’s website at junee.nsw.gov.au
