A Corowa man who illegally collected firewood from Lake Moodemere, near Rutherglen, has been ordered to pay $1000, while two of his chainsaws will be disposed of.
The 19-year-old admitted to illegally removing timber on several occasions between April and May last year from the Moodemere Nature Conservation Reserve.
Some of this illegal timber was then sold as firewood on Facebook.
The man was caught by conservation officers who were undertaking patrols as part of Operation River Gum in May 2021.
Ecologist David Pendavingh said the illegal collection had caused significant damage to wildlife habitat.
In sentencing on August 23, the presiding magistrate said the 19-year-old acted like a “modern day poacher”.
In addition to the two chainsaws, the magistrate ordered the disposal of two bar covers, a chainsaw case and a “for sale” sign.
The collection of domestic firewood (personal use only) is allowed in designated areas during the autumn and spring firewood collection seasons.
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