A large firewood seizure at a Beechworth property has been cited as a further warning to anyone considering illegally clearing timber.
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More than 40 cubic metres of firewood alleged to have been taken from state forest was found on the private property this week.
The wood was discovered when Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning officers and police used a warrant to search the property on Tuesday.
Also seized were a utility, a hydraulic log splitter, a chainsaw and associated timber harvesting tools
Department operations director Tony Long said it was claimed the person living at the property had been cutting down trees then removing the timber.
It was allegedly taken back to his property to be processed into firewood and sold.
“The activity of felling trees has a significant impact on the environment and leads to loss of habitat for native fauna that relies on the development of hollows for nesting and roosting sites,” Mr Long said.
“Felling trees also poses a public safety risk and is not allowed on public land for any reason or at any time of the year.”
The raid was a result of the department’s Operation Chainsaw, which is being carried out across Victoria.
The aim is to deal with what the department has described as the escalating problem of firewood being illegally removed from public land.
Mr Long warned the operation would continue so as to prevent illegal commercial timber harvesting.
“The department and Parks Victoria staff patrol forests and take a zero tolerance approach to those who are breaking laws relating to the collection and sale of firewood,” he said.
“People undertaking this type of activity face the risk of having all items used in committing an offence seized and potentially forfeited to the Crown. “
Maximum penalties of one year’s jail, a $7850 fine or both can apply.
That is in addition to on-the-spot fines of $590 for lesser offences, which include exceeding the daily limit per person during the firewood collecting season.
Mr Long said anyone buying firewood should ask to see a VicForests commercial firewood licence if they suspected the timber has been sourced from public land.
“If you buy firewood from illegal operators you are assisting them in the damage they do to the environment and our wildlife,” he said.
“Firewood collection is only permitted on public land during designated times of the year and from designated firewood collection areas.”
Mr Long said it was not legal to sell firewood collected on public land.
Report breaches on 136 186.
![Clear off: People considering illegally sourcing firewood on public land have been warned they could be jailed or heavily fined. Clear off: People considering illegally sourcing firewood on public land have been warned they could be jailed or heavily fined.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/zTpV5j6X6iLmSh5SbcmSaP/7a532ed8-f7ba-4776-ab42-1e899d613cca.jpg/r0_21_1210_1214_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)