People who illegally cut or remove trees for firewood from parks, forests and reserves will be prosecuted - that's the message from Victorian authorities.
Through Operation Hollows - a multi-agency effort from Parks Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Conservation Regulator's authorised officers - visitors who destroy wildlife habitat and illegally lop down trees are under the microscope.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning advised firewood could only be collected from designated areas outside of collection season, as trees and fallen wood represent vital habitat for native wildlife.
The department added that a number of trees should be respected for their cultural significance.
The maximum penalty for destroying habitat trees is $8261, potential seizure of equipment, and one year in prison.
Fines totaling almost $100,000 from 183 people were imposed between March and November last year. A Shepparton man was recently fined $2000 for taking more than two cubic metres of firewood from fallen or felled trees and disturbing wildlife habitat.
“It’s important to remember that cutting trees for firewood is habitat destruction. Anyone illegally taking firewood is taking a home away from one of our threatened native wildlife species,” Parks Victoria senior manager enforcement and regulatory services Ron Waters said.
“Do the right thing; source your firewood legally and help our native species survive.”