The man allegedly cut up a fallen tree for personal use.
The timber was confiscated by QPWS officers.
A man has been issued with two Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) totalling $2,167 after rangers caught him removing timber from the Wondai State Forest.
Compliance Manager Michael Devery said on Saturday 12 August 2023, rangers located the 56-year-old man parked on a bush trail, and a fallen tree had been cut up.
“After identifying themselves, rangers located 12 blocks of firewood, a chainsaw and axe in the tray of the vehicle,” Mr Devery said.
“It is unlawful for anyone to take timber from the State forest without a permit, and the man was unable to produce a permit, licence or authority to remove timber.
“The man told rangers he had cut the blocks for firewood, but everything in the State forest is protected by the Forestry Act 1959.
“He was wearing thongs and was not wearing ear protection and rangers did not notice any safety equipment.
“We were concerned about the lack of safety equipment or appropriate footwear, because if the man injured himself he may have found it difficult to get help.
“The person voluntarily relinquished the blocks of firewood he had cut up, which were removed by rangers.
“Under Section 39(1) of the Forestry Act 1959, he was issued with one $1,548 PIN for interfere/cause to be interfered with forest products in a State forest without authority.
“He was also issued with a $619 PIN under section 73D(1) of the Forestry Act 1959 for using a restricted item such as a chainsaw without authorisation in a State forest.”
Mr Devery said rangers have a zero-tolerance approach when we find people unlawfully collecting firewood for sale or personal use.
“We conduct regular compliance patrols in our protected areas, and people collecting or cutting up timber for firewood will be fined,” he said.
“As part of our compliance activity, we can seize vehicles and equipment such as chainsaws that are suspected to have been used in committing the offence.
“The maximum court-applied penalty for unlawfully taking firewood from our protected areas of $143,700 for a first offence or $413,550 for subsequent offences.”
