Two men were yesterday fined more than $18,000 each and ordered to perform community service after police charged the pair earlier this year for sparking a large vegetation fire near Rolleston that caused significant damage to pastoral properties fencing, National Parks and Ergon infrastructure.
It is alleged the men discharged illegal fireworks from a vehicle that ignited the dry vegetation and a bushfire quickly spread. The men were identified and quickly arrested by the local police officer. Emergency services and volunteers responded to control the large fire.
Inspector Mick Dowie of the Capricornia Police District said the hefty fines should serve as a warning to others.
“This type of reckless behaviour, without any consideration to the possible consequences, causes untold damage to our National Parks flora and fauna, destroys years of hard work and investment of our pastoral industry, and puts our emergency services and volunteers in harms way while they try and stop the fire,” Inspector Dowie said.
“With the holiday period about to commence and people travelling through our rural and remote areas, we urge people to consider their surrounds, consider those who live and work these areas, consider their own safety and simply don’t engage in risky behaviours that can quickly turn to tragedy.”
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
