Patrick Tucker, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

A local farmer has been left out of pocket and frustrated after more than 1000 litres of diesel is believed to have been stolen from his property.

Benjeroop farmer Lindsay Schultz said the fuel went missing sometime in March after a fresh delivery.

“I ordered the fuel on the Monday, they delivered it on the 6th,” he said.

“I went back there on the 1st of April, backed the Cruiser in to fill up, and nothing came out.

“I thought maybe the hose was kinked, but it was bone dry.”

Around 1200 litres of diesel had been taken, valued at approximately $2500 at the time, with current prices pushing that figure significantly higher.

The incident comes amid broader concern around fuel theft, with incidents across Victoria rising by around 24 per cent in recent data, including more than 4000 reported fuel drive-offs in a year.

While Mr Schultz said it was the first time he had been directly impacted, he believed the scale of the incident pointed to something more organised.

“1200 litres is a lot of fuel,” he said.

“This isn’t just a couple of young blokes with jerry cans, they know what they’re doing.”

Police told Mr Schultz there had been multiple reports of fuel theft in the area, including larger quantities up to 5000 litres.

Mr Schultz said the experience had changed how he managed fuel on the property.

“I’m just not going to keep fuel there,” he said.

“It’s inconvenient, but if I need it, I’ll just grab jerry cans when I’m in town.”

While the incident hasn’t stopped operations entirely, he said it has added an extra layer of difficulty.

“It hasn’t affected things massively, but it’s a hassle. You just can’t rely on it being there anymore.”

Mr Schultz said he had been given little reassurance about prevention, with limited options available to farmers.

“What can you do? If you lock it, they pick the lock. If you don’t lock it, they take it anyway,” he said.

“I’ve heard of blokes cutting holes in tanks, especially plastic ones. That can cost thousands just to fix, not including the fuel.”

He believed many incidents may go unreported, with smaller thefts potentially slipping under the radar.

“If someone took a couple of jerry cans here and there, you probably wouldn’t even notice,” he said.

“But this is serious.”

Farmers are encouraged to contact Victoria Police if they notice suspicious activity or believe they have been targeted.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 16 April 2026.