Farmer News
1 June, 2026
Illegal tree harvesting results in fines
TWO men have faced court following a major investigation into the illegal harvesting of native tea tree from the Otways, which was sold on as fencing stakes for tens of thousands of dollars.
A 74-year-old from Colac and a 44-year-old from Newcomb were found guilty in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court of multiple offences relating to taking protected native vegetation from the Otway Forest Park, Great Otway National Park and Jancourt Nature Conservation Reserve.
Evidence in court showed the father and son sold more than 13,000 tea tree stakes across 2022 and 2023 for approximately $30,000.
An investigation by the Conservation Regulator linked the sales to sites near Irrewillipe, Carlisle River and Jancourt, where dense areas of tea tree vegetation had been illegally cleared.
The 18-month investigation was supported by targeted surveillance and intelligence-led operations across multiple locations.
Inspections conducted at Colac and Colac West properties in 2023 led to the seizure of a vehicle, machetes, a chainsaw and more than 600 tea tree stakes prepared for sale.
Tea tree habitats in the Otways provide critical shelter and food for native wildlife including birds such as the vulnerable rufous bristlebird, and small mammals and reptiles which rely on the dense vegetation.
In sentencing, the Magistrate characterised the conduct as “serious environmental offending” which was “not a victimless crime”.
The Magistrate also noted it was a “deliberate evasion of the regime” with a “considerable level of planning and organisation”.
Both men avoided conviction and each received a fine of $30,000.
“This court outcome follows a complex, long-running investigation, and shows that illegal removal of trees from public land will be detected and thoroughly investigated,” Barwon South West manager of regulatory operations Glenn Sharp said.
“National parks, forests and nature reserves protect wildlife and their habitat and we’ll continue to take action against offenders who exploit them for profit.”
Under Victorian law, it is illegal to remove native trees or damage wildlife habitat on public land without authorisation.
Suspected illegal tree felling can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through an online report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.