South west residents are being urged to stay within the law when they are sourcing their firewood this winter.
Crime Stoppers Victoria and the Conservation Regulator have launched the Illegal Firewood: The Cost is Wild campaign, encouraging Victorians to check their firewood has been legally sourced and report suspicious activity.
A firewood black market is active, with south west areas such as the Grampians and the Otways among places targeted.
Around 9000 trees are illegally removed from Victorian forests and national parks each year – clearing land equivalent to nearly 180 Melbourne Cricket Grounds – with much of that timber sold as firewood to unsuspecting buyers.
Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive Stella Smith is asking Victorians to pause before buying firewood.
“Saving money on cheap firewood is not worth contributing to the destruction of forests and wildlife habitat that should be protected for future generations,” Ms Smith said.
“If you do not know where your firewood has come from, you cannot be sure it has been sourced legally.“People often think they are simply buying cheap firewood, but in some cases, they may be unknowingly supporting environmental crime or even organised crime.”
Authorities warn the illegal firewood trade is more than theft.
It is driving significant environmental harm by removing mature trees, destroying ecosystems, and damaging critical habitat for native wildlife.
This campaign supports the Conservation Regulator’s ongoing efforts, through its statewide initiative Taskforce Ironbark, to target organised criminal syndicates removing commercial quantities of trees from Victoria’s forests and national parks.
Since July last year, Taskforce investigations into illegal firewood collection have led to 54 charges heard, with offenders facing court convictions, fines and the seizure of trailers and chainsaw.
Legal firewood is typically sourced from plantations, commercial suppliers, or private land with appropriate permits.
Reports relating to the illegal take or sale of firewood can be made anonymously to Crime Stoppers at crimestoppersvic.com.au or by calling 1800 333 000.
