Charges laid over illegal trails in Otways

Image source: Conservation Regulator

Five men have been charged after a network of illegal trailbike trails were constructed on protected public land in the Otway Ranges.

The charges relate to illegal trail bike riding and significant environmental damage across the Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park between May and August 2025.

A Conservation Regulator investigation identified evidence that chainsaws, machetes and other hand tools were used to construct illegal trails through native vegetation, creek beds and sensitive rainforest ecosystems.

In August 2025, Conservation Regulator Authorised Officers intercepted members of the group within the Great Otway National Park.

Two of the men have been charged with allegedly assaulting an Authorised Officer during the incident while attempting to evade questioning.

As part of the investigation, search warrants were executed at properties in Belmont, leading to the seizure of two trail bikes, tools and equipment allegedly used to construct and ride the illegal trails.

The men charged are a 26-year-old and a 29-year-old from Belmont, a 36-year-old from Mount Duneed, a 35-year-old from Winchelsea and a 36-year-old from Narre Warren.

The Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park are environmentally significant areas that provide habitat for rare and threatened species and contain sensitive ecosystems such as cool temperate rainforest.

Many of the species are sensitive to disturbance, including changes to soil and water conditions or the spread of pathogens, which can occur when soil is moved by tyres or boots.

In Victoria, trail bike riding is only permitted on formed roads and tracks that are open to the public, and it is illegal to remove native trees or damage wildlife habitat on public land without authorisation.

Suspected illegal activity on public land can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Quotes attributable to Barwon South West Manager of Regulatory Operations Glenn Sharp:

Victoria’s national parks and forests support important wildlife habitat and sensitive ecosystems, and there are clear rules in place to safeguard them.

The Conservation Regulator plays a key role in protecting public land by detecting non-compliance and responding to breaches of the laws that protect Victoria’s forests and wildlife.

Construction of illegal trails in national parks and forests is not harmless – it can cause lasting damage to fragile ecosystems and degrade habitat that threatened species rely on.