Off-road and out of bounds: man fined for breaching forest protection laws in Orbost

While patrolling the Hartland State Forest near Orbost last month, Conservation Regulator Forest and Wildlife Officers witnessed a man illegally felling a tree in a Special Protection Zone, an area reserved to safeguard significant ecological values including habitat for threatened species such as the Glossy Black-Cockatoo and the Yellow-bellied Glider.

Upon further investigation, officers found a second tree had already been cut and processed, and the offender had driven 200 metres off-road into this sensitive area, disregarding environmental protections.

This type of behaviour has serious consequences, and the offender caught in the act faces three infringement notices for the felling of trees and driving a vehicle off-road, totalling $2,035.

The offender was intercepted as part of ongoing surveillance activities across Victoria through “Taskforce Ironbark.

Taskforce Ironbark is a state-wide initiative, led by the Conservation Regulator in partnership with Parks Victoria, and is cracking down on the theft and illegal trade of firewood from Victoria’s public land. The Taskforce aims to disrupt the black market firewood trade and minimise impacts on the health of our parks, forests and reserves, while also promoting responsible firewood consumption.

Illegal firewood activity is a top priority for the Conservation Regulator, given the significant risk it poses to critical wildlife habitats and ecosystems, and Aboriginal cultural heritage.

There are strict rules in place about when, where, and what you can collect to protect wildlife habitat and keep our trees and forests healthy. Firewood can only be collected from designated collection areas in State forests during the autumn and spring domestic firewood collection seasons.

It is always illegal to cut down standing trees on public land without relevant permits or authorities.

Community members who observe suspicious firewood activity in State forests are urged to report it by calling 136 186. Reports can be made anonymously. For more information, visit Sourcing firewood(opens in a new window).

Quotes attributable to Conservation Regulator, Manager Taskforce Ironbark Brady Childs

“Special Protection Zones are not just lines on a map, they are lifelines for threatened species and vital habitats. Driving off-road and cutting down trees in one of these zones shows a complete lack of respect for our environment. These actions have real consequences, both for the offender and for the forest”.

“Firewood collection must be done responsibly and within designated areas. This incident serves as a reminder that breaching forest regulations won’t be tolerated and can result in significant penalties.”