Conservation officers crackdown on illegal firewood thefts crippling national parks and forests

Trees being illegally chopped down for firewood is crippling national parks across the state, including the Otways, with a new taskforce set up to target the crime.

Barwon South senior forest and wildlife officer Scott Nicholson and forest and wildlife officer Sabrina Gray-Viggiano with illegally felled trees in the Eastern Otway Forrest Park. Picture: Alison Wynd

Trees being illegally hacked down for firewood is devastating national parks across the state, including the Otways.

It’s understood about 60 trees, which is equivalent to about 70 cubic metres of firewood, have been chopped down in the Eastern Otway Forest Park in recent weeks, with thieves targeting dead trees.

The firewood is then sold for about $140 a cubic metre.

Last year, firewood thieves damaged or destroyed more than 9200 native trees, which is about 462ha worth.

A majority of the wood was then sold to unsuspecting customers by illegal firewood operators.

Many of the trees being targeted are large, old and slow-growing species, which are unlikely to recover in this generation.

Park Victoria’s senior manager of enforcement Mark Breguet said illegal firewood theft had a devastating impact on local parks, forests and wildlife.

Some of Victoria’s most threatened species, including the red-tailed black cockatoo and the brush-tailed phascogale, have been left without a home due to the thefts as they live in the hollows of both standing and fallen trees.

“With nearly 10,000 trees destroyed last year alone, the impact is far-reaching, threatening the survival of native species and damaging irreplaceable Aboriginal cultural sites,” Mr Breguet said.

The Conservation Regulator and Parks Victoria have established Taskforce Ironbark to target illegal commercial firewood being taken from public land.

As the cost of living continues to rise, the demand for cheap firewood is also increasing.

Consumers purchasing the wood from online marketplaces or roadside stalls could be unintentionally supporting those illegally chopping down trees.

Barwon South senior forest and wildlife officer Scott Nicholson and forest and wildlife officer Sabrina Gray-Viggiano with illegally felled trees in the Eastern Otway Forrest Park. Picture: Alison Wynd

Taskforce Ironbark manager Brady Childs said the “rapid rise” in firewood-related damage is leaving native birds, reptiles and small animals without a habitat.

“We formed Taskforce Ironbark to disrupt illegal commercial firewood operators and remind all Victorians they play an important role in preserving our forests and parks, protecting wildlife habitats, and reducing the harm associated with firewood theft.”

Those caught illegally cutting down trees in Victoria can be fined more than $9000 or face 12 month jail for each charge.

Residents are urged to report firewood theft or suspicious sellers by calling 136 186.

Originally published as Conservation officers crackdown on illegal firewood thefts crippling national parks and forests