Regulatory Priorities 2023–2024

Bushfires caused by illegal campfires can devastate Victorian communities and the environment.

Victorians continue to camp on public land in record numbers. While it has been fantastic to see so many people out enjoying the State’s parks and forests, it is important we recognise that long-term trends in warmer and drier conditions persist.

Recent natural climate variability has resulted in increased fuel loads across the state and is expected to bring reduced rainfall and warmer temperatures from the second half of 2023.

The Conservation Regulator recognises that environmental and behavioural campfire risks remain high through the hottest months of December, January, and February.

These present an increased risk of the destruction of native plants and animals and of heritage values, loss of access to public land, loss of personal property and impact to community infrastructure, and in the worst cases, loss of life. The reduction of unattended and unsafe campfires remains a key focus.

The Conservation Regulator takes steps to inform and educate Victorians, conduct patrols, work in partnership with relevant land managers and undertake enforcement actions to reduce the risk of bushfires and protect Victoria’s communities and the environment.

Our Authorised Officers conduct regular campfire patrols across Victoria’s state forests. We are working to continuously improve the information available about campfires so that everyone knows what a safe campfire is.

It is important that Victorians understand the campfire and barbeque rules before visiting our forests and parks. Review the Can I? Can’t I? brochure and don’t forget to take a bucket and water on your next camping trip, for putting out your campfire.

Campfire rules(opens in a new window)

Demand for illegal firewood continues to destroy vital habitat across Victoria’s public land.

Responsibly sourced firewood protects critical wildlife habitat and Aboriginal scar trees. Illegal firewood removal remains a key driver of critical habitat destruction, and the unacceptable loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage across the state.

The removal of woody debris and tree hollows destroys sites for threatened bird, mammal, and reptile species to nest, shelter and forage. The destruction of these sites has potentially catastrophic consequences for the welfare of native fauna, such as the greater glider, powerful owl and helmeted honeyeater, and flora, like our river red gums.

Cost of living pressures have increased demand for firewood, while wildlife populations and ecosystems are particularly vulnerable after recent extreme weather events.

The Conservation Regulator informs the community about legal sources of firewood, provides education on the impacts of vital habitat destruction, and uses surveillance techniques to assist with enforcement action targeting illegal firewood collection.

Victoria has two firewood collection seasons per year. From 1 March to 30 June (autumn season), and 1 September to 30 November (spring season), community members can source firewood for private use from designated areas. Firewood collection maps are available on the Forest Fire Management Victoria website(opens in a new window).

Illegal firewood can be hard to spot. When buying firewood, ask where it came from, ask for an ABN, and get a receipt.

• Firewood regulation(opens in a new window)
• Firewood collection maps(opens in a new window)
• The Conservation Regulator encourages anyone with information about illegal take of firewood or the sale of suspected illegal firewood to report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000(opens in a new window). Callers can remain anonymous.

Cruelty to wildlife is unacceptable and warrants a proactive and preventative approach.

The Conservation Regulator recognises the importance of the welfare of native wildlife and takes a proactive and preventative regulatory approach.

This regulatory priority addresses significant and intentional cruelty to wild native fauna and captive wildlife. It addresses breaches of the law including the unauthorised destruction, injuring or disturbing of wildlife, breaches of the conditions of Wildlife Licences and Authorities to Control Wildlife issued under the Wildlife Act 1975, significant and intentional cruelty to wildlife kept in captivity (focusing on commercial licence holders and large holdings of wildlife), and transport of illegally acquired fauna.

We prioritise investigations into significant and intentional cruelty to native animals and captive wildlife. We apply strict conditions to wildlife licences and permits and undertake audits to monitor compliance. We also educate and inform Victorians who interact with wildlife on how to do so in a way that protects animal welfare.

We will focus on the biggest risks and where we can be most influential with our effort. We are also working with Animal Welfare Victoria to ensure we will be ready to implement the proposed Animal Care and Protection Bill, that will (subject to Parliamentary approval) replace the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

There are ways you can lawfully enjoy wildlife while protecting their wellbeing. You can install a bird bath rather than feeding wildlife. You should always keep a safe distance to let wild animals display their natural behaviours. You can report any wildlife cruelty to Crime Stoppers, including failing to provide adequate food, water and shelter for captive wildlife, and harassment or disturbance of wildlife in the wild. In Victoria, it is illegal to disturb or destroy wildlife without an authorisation.

The Conservation Regulator encourages anyone with information about wildlife crime to report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000(opens in a new window). Callers can remain anonymous.

Victoria’s native plants and animals are protected by law and are fundamental to a healthy natural environment.

Victorians have a role in protecting our threatened species and communities. Healthy biodiversity is essential for health and wellbeing, is fundamental to the cultural practices of Aboriginal Victorians, reduces the impacts of climate change, and is vital to Victoria’s tourism sector and the many Victorians who enjoy our natural environments.

Threatened native plants and animal species and communities are listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Current trends across monitored species show a general long-term trend of continued population decline.

Victoria’s threatened species and communities are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation, changes to fire frequency and intensity, invasive plants and animals, and illegal removal or destruction of the plants, animals or habitat that they rely on to survive.

Climate change and population growth are expected to exacerbate existing threats and bring new challenges for Victoria’s biodiversity.

The Conservation Regulator prioritises regulatory activities that address threats to the survival of threatened species. This includes proactive education and enforcement in key habitat areas for threatened species, investigation and prosecution of those responsible for illegal take of threatened wildlife from the wild, and proactive patrols on public land. We also conduct various activities to monitor compliance with timber harvesting regulations.

Our actions are incorporated into Action Statements for threatened species and communities.

The best thing you can do is give wildlife space and enjoy native flora by taking photos, not flowers.

The Conservation Regulator encourages anyone with information about wildlife crime to report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000(opens in a new window). For illegal take or damage of threatened flora, please report to DEECA on 136 186(opens in a new window). Callers can remain anonymous.

The Conservation Regulator is committed to the proactive regulation of timber harvesting in Victoria’s state forests.

Commercial native timber harvesting in state forests is permitted in Victoria until 1 January 2024 and must be compliant with the law. Commercial timber harvesting in Victoria’s state forests is regulated in accordance with the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004 and the Code of Practice for Timber Production (the Code).

The regulatory framework for timber harvesting exists to ensure timber harvesting activities are done in a way that is compatible with the conservation of environmental, social, and cultural values, so they are protected for future generations.

The Code was amended in 2022, with changes taking effect from 6 June 2022. These amendments include clarifications of the Code’s requirements which assist the industry to comply and assist the Conservation Regulator in ensuring the law is properly applied and enforced.

The Conservation Regulator will continue to actively regulate the commercial native timber harvesting until it ceases on 1 January 2024. We will monitor timber harvesting operations and taking appropriate action to remedy and respond to breaches of the law, with a focus on areas of high environmental risk.

The Conservation Regulator’s Forest Protection Survey Program will also continue, protecting animals, plants and other values that are threatened or of high conservation value in areas planned to be harvested this year.

As industry activity changes, we will be agile and shift our focus to take account of environmental risk in the lead up to and after 1 January 2024.

Illegal off-road vehicle use can cause erosion, damage native vegetation, and destroy wildlife habitat.

Victoria has a well-established network of formed roads and tracks available for public use in state forests, parks and reserves.

Despite this infrastructure, the Conservation Regulator continues to detect increasing illegal vehicle use across natural terrain, walking trails, cycling trails, closed roads, restricted access areas, in streams and on informal single tracks.

Illegal vehicle use in these environments causes significant damage, including destruction of wildlife habitat, fragmentation of native forests, degradation of water quality, introduction of weeds, and soil erosion. Cultural sites can be damaged or destroyed, and illegal vehicle use creates unacceptable safety risks for other users of our forests.

The Conservation Regulator supports lawful recreational vehicle use by partnering with community groups and educating the public on the importance of staying on formed roads. We conduct frequent patrols and use surveillance technology to identify illegal off-road vehicle use.

Victoria’s state forests, parks and reserves contain over 30,000km of roads and formed vehicle tracks. Before you head off, understand which roads are available for use and stay on formed tracks – for the safety of yourself, other park users and the environment.

Vehicle use on public land(opens in a new window)