Greens fire up over illegal wood hookers

Illegal wood hooking in our public forests is a significant problem, the Greens leader says, with a special investigation revealing how many charges have been laid for illegal wood hooking since 2014.

THE low number of charges laid for illegal wood hooking in public forests shows the activity is not being properly curbed, the Greens say.

A Right to Information request lodged by the party’s leader Cassy O’Connor revealed there had been an average of 25 charges a year since 2014 relating to the harvesting of plant material from the state’s crown lands and national parks.

The RTI shows that last year, four charges were laid, 14 in 2018 and 43 so far in 2020.

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In the document, police said they could use a variety of acts and regulations to deal with offenders who take wood illegally, including stealing, trespassing, destroying property, cutting trees or vegetation on crown land, or failing to comply with a notice of demand.

But the data includes charges involving a range of materials being unlawfully taken, cut or removed, which could include non-timber plant matter, rock, sand and others.

The RTI did not narrow down specific illegal wood harvesting instances, meaning the actual number for this specific type of offence was likely lower.

Ms O’Connor said illegal wood hooking in public forests was a significant problem, and criticised the low number of prosecutions.

Illegal wood hooking is still a significant problem across the state, Greens leader Cassy O’Connor says.

Ms O’Connor took aim at Sustainable Timber Tasmania, which she claimed was “disinterested” in curbing the behaviour on land it managed, and also called on the State Government to act.

“The Gutwein Government needs to implement proper certification for firewood sales, to stop illegal wood hooking and ensure people aren’t buying stolen, crudely harvested firewood,’’ she said.

“It would put a stop to the black market in firewood, protect important forest habitat and take the pressure off rural police officers.”

A spokesman for Sustainable Timber Tasmania said illegal firewood harvesting could cause safety risks and environmental harm.

“Sustainable Timber Tasmania works with Tasmania Police and neighbouring land managers to implement procedures aimed at minimising illegal firewood gathering including the use of surveillance equipment,’’ he said.

Resources Minister Guy Barnett said the low number of charges indicated most people were doing the right thing, but he acknowledged illegal firewood harvesting was an ongoing issue. Last month, police charged 19 people following a joint operation targeting the theft of about $1 million of firewood in Tin Pot Marsh Creek reserve areas at Woodsdale.