Two Kyneton residents who stole firewood from the Metcalfe State Forest for profit have been ordered to pay a combined amount of $3000 and forfeit the tools and machinery used in their offending, after being found guilty of six charges each at Kyneton Magistrates’ Court.

On Tuesday 9 April, a 37-year-old woman and 33-year-old man were each convicted and fined $1500 after they admitted to illegally cutting, removing, and selling red stringybark timber, dumping rubbish, and damaging wildlife habitat on public land in September 2022.

Parks Victoria and Conservation Regulator Authorised Officers, with assistance from Victoria Police and the Game Management Authority, investigated and executed a search warrant at the pair’s property. Authorities discovered a diary with “Firewood 2022” on the cover, which contained details of their unlawful firewood business and seized 18 cubic metres of timber, two chainsaws, a box trailer, and a block splitter.

During sentencing, Presiding Magistrate Kelly ordered the forfeiture of these seized items.

In a related matter, a 39-year-old male co-offender was convicted and fined $3000 after he pleaded guilty to two offences related to illegal firewood theft at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on 16 February 2024. 

All three offenders were caught on concealed cameras installed as part of the Parks Victoria-led Operation Centaur, targeting the illegal removal of critical habitat and hollow-bearing trees on public land.

Victorians are urged to source their firewood legally and responsibly by either collecting it themselves from designated domestic firewood collection areas during collection seasons or by buying from reputable sellers.

To avoid inadvertently supporting illegal firewood activity, buyers should:

• ask the supplier where the wood is from.
• request a tax receipt that includes a business name and ABN.
• avoid buying from social media websites.
• ask why the firewood might be too cheap.

The community can report illegal firewood theft or suspicious dealers to Parks Victoria on 131 963 or the Conservation Regulator on 136 186.

Quote attributable to Mathew Sobey, Parks Victoria Ranger Team Leader:

“It's heartbreaking to see old-growth trees chopped down and their habitat values destroyed by 
illegal firewood operators seeking to take advantage of unsuspecting Victorians. The court’s decision sends a clear message that illegal firewood theft is unacceptable. 

Quotes attributable to Phuong Tran, Senior Forest and Wildlife Officer, Conservation Regulator:

“This prosecution shows there is no excuse for illegally damaging wildlife habitat for firewood and is a reminder to anyone breaking the law that we take this issue very seriously and the chances of getting caught and penalised are high.”