TWO individuals who thought the cover of darkness would shield them, have been caught allegedly illegally cutting and splitting a freshly felled tree for firewood in Wandong Regional Park earlier this week.
With assistance from Victoria Police, Conservation Regulator Authorised Officers intercepted the two individuals at about 5.15 on the morning of Monday July 14 as they were loading the freshly cut and split timber into a tandem trailer.
The trailer, two chainsaws, two block splitters, two mobile phones and the cut timber were seized on the spot.
The matter is still under investigation and forms part of ongoing monitoring and surveillance activities – including night patrols – across Mt Disappointment State Forest and the Wandong Regional Park through ‘Taskforce Ironbark’. Taskforce Ironbark is a state-wide initiative, led by the Conservation Regulator in partnership with Parks Victoria, aiming to crack down on commercial firewood thieves.
Conservation Regulator, Manager Regulatory Operations Hume, Greg Chant, says it is a reminder that environmental damage would be frowned upon heavily.
“Illegal tree felling is a serious environmental crime, Authorised Officers patrol at all hours in Victoria’s state forests and parks to help protect biodiversity and ensure people follow the rules,” he said.
“If you’re caught illegally harvesting timber from public land for commercial sale, you will be held accountable for the environmental damage, and risk facing prosecution and losing your equipment.”
This type of crime will not be tolerated, and the individuals are expected to face court over alleged firewood-related offences.
If community members observe suspicious firewood activity, they are urged to call 136 186. Reports can be made anonymously.
