Ownership of Fruit from Trees Located on State Land

Mr Darryl David asked the Minister for National Development (a) to whom do the fruit of trees located on state/public land belong; and (b) what is the penalty for any person who (i) casually collects a fruit that has dropped from a tree grown on state/public land and (ii) actively plucks a fruit from a tree grown on state/public land respectively.

Trees, including their fruit, which are located on state land belong to the state.

NParks manages most of the trees on state land. Members of the public who wish to pluck fruit from trees or collect fruit that has dropped from trees on state land should approach NParks for permission. Those who pluck or collect fruit in a public park without permission can be fined up to $5,000 under the Parks and Trees Act. Those who do so in a nature reserve or a national park can be fined up to $50,000, and/or imprisoned for up to six months.