| Message from the Chief Conservation Regulator
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Welcome to the first edition of Conservation Matters for 2025.
I hope you all had a great summer season and took the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
In 2024 we saw several substantial compliance and enforcement outcomes and strong engagement on our education for compliance campaigns. This year we have hit the ground running with an immediate focus on illegal fire activity while fire risk remains significant, transitioning into illegal take of firewood as firewood season draws near.
We have been getting out and about in the community, participating in local events and ensuring our presence and visibility on public land through proactive patrols across Victoria. Our Authorised Officer are enjoying connecting with members of the public and providing them with the resources they need to follow the rules and protect Victoria’s forests and wildlife.
In response to the warmer weather conditions impacting much of the state, we have been regularly supported the bushfire response including through targeting illegal fires and compliance on Total Fire Ban days. The ongoing risk of bushfires over the coming months will see us continue to work in partnership with emergency management authorities to support for affected communities.
I would like to thank you for reading Conservation Matters. I look forward to bringing you more news and updates during 2025. If you know of anyone who might be interested in hearing from us, please share this edition with them and encourage them to subscribe and follow us on Facebook and X.
Kate Gavens
Chief Conservation Regulator
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The campfire safety message is still not sinking in with everyone, even on days of Total Fire Bans. More than 250 unattended campfires and BBQs have been detected by the Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria and Forest Fire Operations field staff on public land so far this financial year.
Over the last few weeks where Total Fire Bans have been declared, fire authorities and land managers continue to detect illegal campfires across the state during extreme weather conditions. Campers were evacuated when Fire Crews responded to a bushfire in Cape Otway in January that was ignited from a campfire. Heavy penalties apply for anyone lighting a campfire on a Total Fire Ban Day.
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| Fines imposed for illegal tree felling near Glenisla State Forest
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An individual has been fined following action by the Conservation Regulator over an illegal tree clearing incident at Glenisla near Hamilton in 2023.
An excavation company and an individual both pleaded guilty in the Hamilton Magistrates’ Court in November 2024 on eight charges arising from the damage and removal of trees and protected flora along a fence line adjoining Glenisla State Forest.
The individual received fines totalling $15,000 and was ordered to pay costs of $7,500 for breaches of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and the Forests Act 1958, and the excavation company received fines totalling $10,000 and were ordered to pay costs of $7,500 for breaches of the same acts.
On 13 March 2023, the individual engaged the excavation company to clear native vegetation in Glenisla State Forest. The company assumed the individual had sought permission to remove the vegetation. The Conservation Regulator received a report of the works and investigated the matter.
The Court was told that a fence line was cleared without approval, resulting in the removal of one hundred trees, damage to forty-nine trees and damage or destruction of five flora species listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 including Black Wattle, Grass Tree, Sphagnum Moss, Common Fringe Myrtle and Flame Heath.
Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge in sentencing noted the level of damage caused to native vegetation during the offending was not of the highest degree the Court had seen. However, the fact that the offending stretched over two kilometres and involved protected flora and removal or damage to several significant sized trees meant that the sentence needed to be of a level to deter the offences.
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Conservation Regulator staff from the Barwon South-west region attended the Hooked on Portland Festival and the Geelong Outdoor Living & Caravan Expo in January, and were met with fascinating questions and stories from the public at both events.
We had the chance to speak with hundreds of people and have meaningful conversations about campfire safety, trailbike riding on public land, firewood collection areas and interactions between dogs and wildlife on beaches. It was exciting to see kids and families engaging with our free learning materials, many of which were snapped up by young nature enthusiasts well before the events came to a close.
These events give us a chance to have grass roots discussions with community and help to build a better understanding of the work we do, why we do it and the rules that exist to protect Victorian landscapes.
The Conservation Regulator staff also attended a dog’s breakfast in Ocean Grove with Geelong City Council, Birdlife Australia and Barwon Coast Committee of Management on 1st December, as part of Operation Save our Hoodies (SoHo). This is the third year that the Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria and Birdlife Australia have joined forces to deliver Operation SoHo, asking Victorians not to disturb hooded plover nests. Authorised Officers actively patrolled Victoria’s coast undertaking both educational interactions and enforcement.
The team handed out goodies to dog owners at the popular off leash dog beach where the threatened hooded plovers are nesting. Hooded plovers are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 and it is illegal to disturb or harm them, including have a dog chase or attack them.
We have a few events on the horizon that we’re planning to attend, so keep an eye out for us!
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| Conservation in the classroom- free lesson plans for Victorian teachers
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It’s been six months since the Conservation Regulator developed and launched five curriculum linked lesson plans for primary school teachers in Victoria, and it’s so encouraging to see them being embraced and brought into the classroom.
The lesson plans have been downloaded by 51 schools across the state since their public release in July. That’s an estimated reach of more than 11,000 Victorian students who are on their way to becoming future guardians of nature!
Each lesson plan directly links with different subjects within the Victorian curriculum and concepts of environmental protection are explored through various videos, printable resources, outdoor activities, and play. With an aim to educate students on the importance of looking after the environment, the rules that exist to protect our native plants and animals and the role that they play in preserving the cultural and natural heritage of Victoria’s landscapes it is promising to see such a positive uptake in the Victorian education system.
Armed with knowledge of the rules, students will be leading the charge in long term environmental protection for years to come.
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Taking cute animals, like orphaned kangaroo joeys, home sounds like a caring thing to do but the reality is that it’s illegal, cruel and can lead to bad long-term outcomes for the animal.
The aim of ‘Keeping Wildlife Wild’ was to educate the community about the importance of taking injured or orphaned animals to an experienced wildlife rehabilitator. The media released focused on the recovery of an eastern grey kangaroo joey. The joey was taken to a wildlife shelter near Bendigo after being rescued from inexperienced but well-meaning people who were keeping it in their home. The public response to the story showed that, while awareness of the issue is increasing, there are still regular instances where people aren’t doing the right thing.
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Of significant concern is the risk associated with H5 Avian Influenza (bird flu) which has to date impacted every continent except Australia and has the potential to cause devastating impacts having infected a wide range of animals worldwide, including hundreds of species of wild birds and more than 50 species of mammals. It is important that Victorians who encounter sick or dead wild birds or other wildlife, are aware of H5 bird flu to ensure they minimise the risks to themselves and other animals. Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and other wildlife - don’t touch or collect them. Record their location, take photos and report clusters (5 or more) sick or dead wild birds or other animals to DEECA on 136 186 or via the online reporting form.
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| Making your garden wildlife safe...and legal
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Hungry wildlife are often keen to feast on garden produce. Protecting your garden is important but so is keeping our precious wildlife safe. We are continuing to receive reports from the public of households using illegal fruit-netting and glue traps as well as businesses selling these products.
Safe, legal fruit netting has a maximum mesh size of 5x5mm at full stretch (you can’t poke your finger through it). Netting with a larger mesh size (that you can easily poke your finger through) is banned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act because it can trap and harm wildlife.
Glue traps capable of trapping an animal are also banned from sale or use in Victoria. Use of these traps is unacceptable as they cause significant pain and suffering to any animal caught. If you see illegal fruit netting for sale in Victoria, or being used in a garden, you can report it to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action on 136 186. If you find illegal glue traps for sale in Victoria, you can also call RSPCA on 03 9224 2222 or you can report it to crimestoppersvic.com.au on 1800 333 000.
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Make sure you don't get buyers remorse
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If you acquired a native pet (like a bearded dragon) over the festive season there are lot of things you have to do to care for it properly.
Make sure you know things like:
• What food, care and housing do they need?
• How long do they live?
• Do you have the right licence?
For more information go to https://www.vic.gov.au/private-wildlife-licences
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Thank you for reading this edition of Conservation Matters. We hope you found it interesting and relevant. The next newsletter will come your way in three months’ time.
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