Beware that logs have life inside

6 August, 2013Posted in: Environment
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With winter well underway and wood fires in full use, Council is reminding residents that it is prohibited to collect dead wood from roadsides and Council bushland reserves.

Contrary to popular belief that dead wood can only be used for firewood, the timber provides a home for many native animals and birds and plays an essential role in keeping our beautiful bushland areas healthy.

Council will be erecting new signage in coming months at several identified hotspots, reminding residents that not only does removing firewood or bushrock from council reserves damage significant habitat for our native animals, but can also result in significant fines.

Some native animals in the Southern Highlands directly threatened by the removal of dead wood from the forest floor include the glossy black cockatoo, goanna, turquoise parrot, red-crowned toadlet, spotted-tailed quoll and the squirrel glider.

With Threatened Species Day coming up on September 7th – a date chosen to commemorate the death of the last remaining Tasmanian Tiger (thylacine) at Hobart Zoo in 1936 – there is an opportunity for the community to focus attention on the plight of our threatened animals and plants. Council aims to encourage greater community support and hands-on involvement to prevent further losses of Australia’s unique natural heritage.

Rather than collecting dead wood from bushland reserves, Council recommends residents ask their firewood supplier if their wood is sourced legally and sustainably according to the Firewood Association of Australia’s Code of Practice. If unsure, residents can learn more from the Firewood Association of Australia’s website www.firewood.asn.au.

For more information on Council’s bushland reserves and the threatened and endangered species in the Highlands, visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/environment.