City of Albany calls on community for vigilance after increased rates of illegal jarrah tree felling

City of Albany rangers are investigating a spate of illegal tree-felling offences on City reserves over the past three months. A statement released by the City on Thursday said the increase in illegal tree felling was particularly concerning “due to the felled trees often being more than 100 years old and of the jarrah tree family”. The jarrah trees are used as homes by both Baudin’s black cockatoos and the Carnaby’s black cockatoos, for which Albany is a recognised breeding place. Endangered western ringtail possums also live in the large aged jarrah trees of Albany. In Thursday’s statement, the City said it understood trees had been felled to be used or sold as a firewood. A permit is required to sell firewood, and the illegal felling of trees can incur a penalty of seven years in prison or a fine of up to $250,000 for individuals or companies. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 outlines offences for activities that could endanger threatened and vulnerable species. City’ public health and safety manager Scott Reitsema said the City took the protection of endangered species seriously. “As a result of land clearing for developments, roads, agriculture and new homes, readily available hardwood for wood fires is becoming scarce and more expensive,” he said. “This means that illegal operators aren’t just taking advantage of the high price of firewood, they are destroying some of our oldest trees and putting our native wildlife at risk.” A Denmark resident has also raised concerns about recent damage to trees throughout the region by “firewood collectors, particularly those that sell jarrah firewood”. In a letter to the Advertiser last week, sent before the City of Albany released its statement, Tanja Probst said she had noticed damage on a large scale in national parks, State forests and private properties. “Firewood collectors, particularly those that sell jarrah firewood are causing major damage to our forests and trees all through Denmark and our southern region,” she said. She said people had been felling trees and driving four-wheel drive vehicles off the main tracks “completely flattening, breaking vegetation”. Ms Probst called on the community to “interact, harvest in a manner that is honourable, and respectful — in a way that will help our forest and lands to thrive, be healthier and stronger than without us”. The City of Albany has asked the community to be vigilant when buying firewood and report any suspicious activity to the City by calling 6820 3999 or bit.ly/3MzCG9f.