General News
26 August, 2025
Firewood thieves on notice
Men who allegedly illegally cut timber in the Tarnagulla State Forest have been caught by the Conservation Regulator’s Taskforce Ironbark.
Firewood thieves who thought they could get away with stealing firewood from Tarnagulla State Forest west of Bendigo have had a rude awakening when forest and wildlife officers from the Conservation Regulator’s Taskforce Ironbark caught up with them near Drouin in Gippsland.
On May 29 this year, it’s alleged the men were detected illegally cutting timber in the Tarnagulla State Forest, north east of Dunolly, and loading the wood into a white Nissan tipper truck.
The men are accused of felling a significant number of Ironbark trees with the intention of selling the timber commercially into the black market firewood trade. Ironbark trees provide critical habitat for some of Victoria’s most threatened species, such as the Swift Parrot.
Following a detailed investigation forest and wildlife officers from Taskforce Ironbark, with support of Victoria Police, executed a search warrant at a property at Drouin in Gippsland on August 7, 2025. Officers seized a white Nissan tipper truck and a mobile phone.
The investigation is ongoing.
This case is part of the Conservation Regulator’s ongoing enforcement efforts targeting firewood theft by organised, black market operators under Taskforce Ironbark.
“This investigation demonstrates the reach and effectiveness of Taskforce Ironbark in tackling organised firewood crime across the state,” Conservation Regulator Taskforce Ironbark manager Brady Childs said.
“We’re committed to protecting Victoria’s parks and forests and holding black market firewood operators accountable for the damage they do to our environment — no matter how far they try to run.”
Community members are encouraged to report suspicious firewood activity by calling 136 186. Reports can be made anonymously.
For more information, visit: www.vic.gov.au/sourcing-firewood