The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined a forestry contractor $3,300 for illegally logging trees on a private property at Dondingalong near Kempsey on the Mid North Coast.
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The EPA investigated the contractor and issued the fine following an incident of illegal logging on the property.
EPA Acting Director of Forestry Brett Nudd said EPA officers followed up shortly after the incident occurred and were able to collect strong evidence against the contractor for the offence, including photos and GPS coordinates of the site.
“A site inspection and interviews with the offender confirmed that the contractor had deliberately chosen to cut down five Blackbutt trees on the private property, despite knowing it was against the law,” Mr Nudd said.
“Under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 it is an offence to log trees without prior approval from the EPA. The logging contractor had decades of experience in the NSW forestry industry and was well aware of his legal obligations.”
“The EPA is committed to protecting forest areas across NSW and we encourage ecological sustainable harvesting practices. Illegal logging like we’ve seen in this case risks both environmental protection and sustainability so it needs to stop.”
