Throughout the 2022 and 2023 winter periods, the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage issued several warnings and initiated eight prosecutions against people collecting firewood illegally. Fines imposed ranged up to $1,500 plus court costs.
During the winter months, regular complaints are received about people removing firewood and damaging vegetation on State managed land. The majority of these are in Western Australia’s South West and metropolitan regions.
The maximum penalty for cutting trees or removing vegetation from State managed land is $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses.
Cutting trees and removing vegetation has a significant cumulative impact on the State’s bushland as it can damage rare or endangered flora and has flow-on impacts to native wildlife, including depleting food sources, habitats, and nesting areas.
Firewood should be sourced from reputable commercial firewood sellers or alternatively, firewood collection areas listed on the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction website.
Witnesses can report cutting of trees and removal of wood from State managed land to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage by emailing investigations@dplh.wa.gov.au.
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