- Published:
- Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 1:58 pm
Image: Firewood thief intercepted at Paddy's Swamp.
A significant fine handed down in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court highlights the serious consequences facing those who illegally collect firewood in Victoria’s forests.
A Winchelsea man is the latest to be convicted through the Conservation Regulator’s Taskforce Ironbark, receiving a $10,000 fine after unlawfully cutting down trees and damaging wildlife habitat in the Otway Forest Park.
In the Geelong Magistrates’ Court this month, the 28-year-old pleaded guilty to offences relating to illegally felling and taking messmate trees, damaging hollow-bearing logs which provide shelter for wildlife, and unauthorised off-road driving.
On 7 August 2025, Conservation Regulator Authorised Officers, with the support of Victoria Police, intercepted the man in connection with the illegal removal of timber from Paddy’s Swamp in the Otway Forest Park.
The man accessed the site via an illegal trailbike track, unlawfully felled four messmate trees, partially processed the timber for firewood, and loaded it into his four-wheel drive.
The felled trees included hollow‑bearing logs that provide critical habitat for native wildlife within the Otway Forest Park, including the gang gang cockatoo and swamp antechinus which are threatened species.
Taskforce Ironbark is a statewide initiative led by the Conservation Regulator to disrupt the theft and illegal trade of firewood from Victoria’s public land through education and enforcement.
More than 9,000 trees are illegally cut down in Victoria’s State forests, reserves and parks each year.
Domestic firewood collection from public land for personal use is only permitted in designated areas during the autumn and spring firewood collection seasons. For more information, visit vic.gov.au/sourcing-firewood
Suspected illegal firewood activity can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Reports can be anonymous.
Quotes attributable to Manager of Regulatory Operations Barwon South West Glenn Sharp:
'This outcome sends a clear warning to illegal firewood operators. Those caught unlawfully removing timber from public land will be held to account.'
'The illegal removal of firewood damages forest health and wildlife habitat. Messmate trees play an important role by providing habitat, food and shelter for many native birds and marsupials, including threatened species.'
'Before heading out to source firewood, it’s important to know the rules around where, when and what timber can be collected to avoid serious fines and penalties.'
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