Ensuring people do the ‘right thing’
From the Summer 2006 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
A joint initiative by Forests NSW and Deniliquin police will help ensure that people do the ‘right thing’ in State forests.
Forests NSW has donated $7 300 to Deniliquin police to assist with the purchase of equipment and training for its motorbike squad.
Forests NSW operation/sales manager, Andrew McCurdy, said the police had agreed to undertake high visibility patrols throughout the Murray Management Area, which included forests in the Perricoota/Koondrook, Millewa and Mulwala groups.
Targeted offences include timber theft, vandalism, unregistered vehicles, firearms, illegal substances, anti-social behaviour and breaking fire restrictions.
“The donation further enhanced the good working relationship that already exists between the two organisations,” he said.
In the Hunter, Forests NSW has also donated an $11 000 motorbike to the Lake Macquarie Highway Patrol for use in joint police and Forests NSW operations in the Watagan forests near Newcastle.
Forests NSW resource protection officer, Cec Gavenlock, based at Maitland, said the motorbikes had proved very effective in joint Forests NSW and police patrols.
For example, a recent weekend patrol resulted in 50 infringement notices being issued to motorbike riders for a range of driving offences including unlicensed, unregistered, uninsured and driving while disqualified.
“During community consultation groups, motorbikes were our major complaint, and joint patrols have proved to be a very successful way of dealing with the problem,” he said.
Cec said this initiative was now being taken up by other Forests NSW regions across the state.
Public Affairs & Media, Albury
