In 2019, police in the Southern Grampians, Moyne & Corangamite Police Service Area's began Operation Southwest Forestry, targeting trespassing, poaching and illegal wood gathering on private plantations in Victoria's southwest.

Operation Southwest Forestry is run in conjunction with local forestry companies, DELWP, Parks Victoria & the Game Management Authority, with these groups now implementing cameras in plantations in an effort to catch offenders, and to reduce the risk of future offending.

It is a common misconception that pine and bluegum plantations are a free-for-all for hunting, firewood collection and 4WDing.

These plantations are private property like any other farm, which means trespassing, hunting & carrying firearms, 4WDing and removing wood are illegal.

A 19-year old Warrnambool man was recently charged after trespassing in a bluegum plantation in Bessiebelle.

Police are warning that anyone caught engaging in this behaviour runs the risk of criminal charges, as well as having their firearms and vehicles seized.