Locals have been urged to check where their firewood has been sourced from this winter.
Crime Stoppers Victoria and the Conservation Regulator have teamed up for a campaign putting the spotlight on a black market removing trees from state forests and national parks.
Around 9,000 trees are illegally taken from these spaces each year, including in the Otways, often sold as firewood to people unaware of the origins.
Acting Chief Conservation Regulator Callie Donaldson said they’re targeting criminal networks driven by profit.
“Unfortunately, the trees that are targeted for the commercial sale take of firewood are often really mature trees, and they’re trees that are really important for habitat for wildlife,” Ms Donaldson said.
“Some of them are hundreds of years old and they’re really slow-growing.”
On the advice to residents across Geelong, the Bellarine and Surf Coast heading into winter, Donaldson said it’s important to ask where it’s been collected and report ay suspicious activity.
“Ask the person [you’re] buying it from where they’ve sourced the wood. Reputable sources will be able to tell you where the wood’s come from.”
