Thread: Property owner annexing adjoining state forest

Originally Posted by POD

I was out bush in a rarely-visited area a few weeks ago and came across an area where I suspect the owner of a parcel of grazing land that adjoins state forest is sneakily clearing a parcel of the state forest and moving their fence line to annex it. A perusal of property boundaries on the MapShareVic website seems to confirm my suspicions. I'm not talking about a yard-wide strip along their back fence, I'm talking about an area a couple of hundred meters outside their fence, probably around ten acres of bush that has been cleared since I was last there and a track that used to skirt farmland is now gated off. As this person is stealing land from you and me and putting a gate across a public track to keep us out, I want to report my suspicions but am not sure what authority to go to. Anyone know who is the appropriate body in Vic to investigate this?

I reckon DELWP would be able to point you in the right direction, did you happen to take any photos?

Should be easy to clear up, but bear in mind that it is quite possible that the fence in question that was moved may not have actually been on the boundary, but on the edge of the cleared land on the property, and the fence has now been moved to the actual boundary. There are several places along my boundary where this could apply!

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Should be easy to clear up, but bear in mind that it is quite possible that the fence in question that was moved may not have actually been on the boundary, but on the edge of the cleared land on the property, and the fence has now been moved to the actual boundary. There are several places along my boundary where this could apply!

Yes I considered that which was why I went looking at online mapping with property boundary overlays rather than go off half-cocked. There's a track which does a sharp right-hand bend outside the old fence line, the mapping shows this track feature outside the property boundary and the boundary following the track. The track now has a gate across it before the bend, the land on the inside of the bend has been cleared and fenced. Al well and good if it's actually their land but not ok if they are stealing land from us all.
Probably an attempt to acquire land by adverse possession; many people are not aware that adverse possession does not apply to crown land.

Perhaps check for a lease of land, too.

Just got off the phone with DEWLP. They took the report seriously, hopefully I will hear of the outcome of any investigation.
B.I.L. is a retired park ranger, reckons this is not uncommon.

Originally Posted by POD

I was out bush in a rarely-visited area a few weeks ago and came across an area where I suspect the owner of a parcel of grazing land that adjoins state forest is sneakily clearing a parcel of the state forest and moving their fence line to annex it. A perusal of property boundaries on the MapShareVic website seems to confirm my suspicions. I'm not talking about a yard-wide strip along their back fence, I'm talking about an area a couple of hundred meters outside their fence, probably around ten acres of bush that has been cleared since I was last there and a track that used to skirt farmland is now gated off. As this person is stealing land from you and me and putting a gate across a public track to keep us out, I want to report my suspicions but am not sure what authority to go to. Anyone know who is the appropriate body in Vic to investigate this?

Its a PITA with gazetted tracks closed off in several places. Big signs saying no entry and nothing seeming to be done at several places I have seen. I would not like to add wire cutters to my 4wd kit!

Originally Posted by POD

Just got off the phone with DEWLP. They took the report seriously, hopefully I will hear of the outcome of any investigation.
B.I.L. is a retired park ranger, reckons this is not uncommon.

It's certainly not uncommon. People do all sorts of things when it comes to taking liberties with Protected Areas.

Well done reporting it.

.... saw a tradie installing some security cameras today .... on the verandah roof above the footpath, looking directly up and down the length of the footpath. He took off before I could have a chat to him, but you can't install private security cameras in a public space, they have to be actually on your property. I'll report to the Council and see what they say.