Enforcement Operations
Enforcement operations allow Authorised Officers to intensively target illegal activities in a particular area or for a defined period of time. Parks Victoria runs multiple operations throughout the year to reduce the negative impact of illegal behaviours on Victoria’s protected areas.
Operations GREENWOLF and GOLBURNE – April to September 2022
Victoria’s majestic River Red Gums and striking Mugga Ironbark provide critical habitat for native birds, mammals and reptiles- but they are under threat from destructive illegal firewood harvesting. From April, Parks Victoria will lead two enforcement operations in northern Victoria to target this behaviour and are calling on the community to assist.
Key areas targeted are Shepparton Regional Park, Lower Goulbourn National Park and Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
Operation WINTERFELL - Year-round intelligence gathering
Operation Winterfell is a state-wide illegal timber harvesting intelligence gathering and reporting operation. Activities or patterns identified by this year-round operation are used to establish and resource more targeted operations.
Operation SOHO - protecting Hooded Plovers on Victoria’s coastline
Operation Soho aims to protect the vulnerable Hooded Plover during nesting season (August – March).
Authorised Officers from Parks Victoria and the Office of the Conservation Regulator patrol beaches in the south-west of the state targeting activities that threaten nests and chicks, such as off-road driving and dogs off-leash or in prohibited areas.
Multi-agency operations
We work with partner agencies Office of the Conservation Regulator, Victoria Police, Victoria Fisheries Authority, Game Management Authority and other authorities to target and reduce specific illegal activities which damage the environment.