Parks Victoria is stepping up patrols to target illegal commercial firewood theft in the Shepparton and Lower Goulburn areas.
The patrols will take place around the clock, focusing on nights and weekends, and will be carried out with support from the Game Management Authority and Victoria Fisheries Authority.
Parks Victoria district manager Jess Reid said Shepparton had become a hot spot for illegal firewood harvesting.
“Our operation this year is the biggest yet and is driven by intelligence gathered over several seasons, in partnership with Victoria Police and the Conversation Regulator,” she said.
“The offences we are seeing are not isolated cases of individuals seeking to warm their homes — some are carefully planned illegal commercial operations that work hard to evade our surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts.”
Parks Victoria enforcement officers have been dismayed at the amount of habitat destruction from the illegal removal of river red gum in recent years and have emphasised that offenders will face an on-the-spot fine of $740, with a maximum penalty of $9246 and/or a year in prison if prosecuted in court. Equipment such as chainsaws, trailers and vehicles can also be seized.
Ms Reid said the community could report suspected illegal firewood taking, including suspicious firewood sellers, by calling 136 186.
“Information from the community is a key part of our intelligence and evidence gathering, and we encourage community members to report any suspicious behaviour,” she said.