Aussies warned as ute seized amid 'crackdown' on alleged winter crime wave

Yahoo

2 days ago

Authorities are once again warning Aussies that those participating in an illegal winter trend will face the full force of the law amid a major crackdown on the practice.
Despite repeated cautions, incidents of illegally felling trees to sell as firewood continue to frustrate authorities.
Now, an alleged firewood thief has been found by Forest and Wildlife officers, alongside Victoria Police, with a Mitsubishi Triton ute filled with firewood, a chainsaw and other items associated with the illegal removal of native trees.
The Conservation Regulator allege that the person felled four messmate trees in Victoria's Otway Forest Park last Thursday and had partially processed them for timber to be sold as firewood. The ute has been seized as investigations continue.
'Messmate trees play a vital role in our ecosystem, providing habitat, food and shelter for a wide range of native wildlife, including birds and marsupials, Brady Childs, who is managing Taskforce Ironbark on behalf of the Conservation Regulator, said.
The taskforce is a state-wide initiative led by Victoria's Conservation Regulator in partnership with Parks Victoria and Victoria Police.
'Taskforce Ironbark continues to crack down on black market firewood operators. If you're caught illegally removing timber from public land for commercial gain, you will be held accountable," Childs said.
"We are committed to protecting Victoria's parks, forests, and biodiversity from the threat of illegal firewood removal ensuring they remain healthy and intact for future generations.'
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Crackdown on alleged illegal firewood felling
While it is Illegal to cut up trees from national parks for firewood, numerous states have reported an annual spike in offences during the winter months, prompting officers to ramp up patrols.
In Victoria, offenders caught in the act on public land face steep on-the-spot fines exceeding $814. More serious offences can attract penalties of up to $9,879 and 12 months' imprisonment.
Authorities have warned that the crackdown against the practice will continue to protect crucial habitat for threatened species, including Gang Gang Cockatoos and Swamp Antechinus.
Last week, two people were allegedly caught with a trailer full of illegally felled firewood after community members reported "suspicious activity" in the Glen Park State Forest, north of Ballarat.
Last month, another man hauling a trailer allegedly filled with illegally felled firewood was caught out after he became bogged in a wildlife reserve.
The man was driving a rented 4WD at about 5am on Thursday when he got stuck in mud near Reedy Lake in Victoria's Nagambie Wildlife Reserve, the state's Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) said.
Inside a tandem trailer, officers allege they discovered a load of recently cut Red River Gum timber, and another "freshly felled" tree nearby.
Victorians can legally collect free firewood for personal use from designated collection areas in state forests during the autumn and spring firewood collection seasons. Rules apply around where, when, what and how much wood can be collected.
Aussies who witness suspicious activity in state forests are urged to call 136 186. Reports can be made anonymously. For more information, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/sourcing-firewood
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