For more than nine months, Nicholas Zounis was clearing out and building a shelter on a secluded space of a state forest near Smythesdale, which he called his home.

Over a period of months, Mr Zounis built a simple shelter with a fireplace, a toilet and shower.

He had also started work on two more permanent structures. 

But after leaving the site earlier this month to stay with his family for a few days, Mr Zounis returned on January 21 to find his entire shelter had been demolished by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Months prior to the demolition, Mr Zounis embarked on a legal war against the DELWP.

The DELWP deemed the makeshift home illegal and said the land in question was unreserved Crown land with a bushfire overlay.

However, Mr Zounis said he believed he was part of a proud Australian tradition and that anyone should be able to claim public as long as no one else wanted it. 

Standing on the land on Tuesday, Mr Zounis told The Courier he was heartbroken.

“It took me three days to absorb it all. I needed to let it all sink in,” Mr Zounis said. “Until then, I didn’t believe that anyone could be that cruel and heartless.

“The lowest thing you could possibly do is come in and destroy a man’s home.”

The only sign the makeshift home ever existed on the land are bits of broken rubble and tree trunks sprawled across the dirt.

There is also an empty hole dug into the ground where Mr Zounis kept a generator. 

Since it was demolished, Mr Zounis said he had been forced to couchsurf with his relatives. “It’s a day-by-day thing. I could be kicked out at any moment,” Mr Zounis said. “It’s no way to live and I don’t want to burden anyone.”

Mr Zounis said he moved into the bush for solace after a series of life setbacks, which included losing his job. He said all his possessions, including family heirlooms that he kept inside the shelter, were now in the hands of the DELWP.

“They came like thieves in the night and took everything I had,” Mr Zounis said. But Mr Zounis has vowed to rebuild. “I will rebuild a bunker underground in a state forest somewhere that they will never find me,” Mr Zounis said.

“I’ve learnt from this experience. I will simply build deeper in the ground. Anything you create yourself, with your own hands, you feel a deep sense of ownership for. “

The father of two said he also planned to start a motor mechanics course in the coming months to help him secure employment and fund his new home.

DELWP Midlands District manager Jon Rofe said on December 10 the Ballarat Magistrates Court ordered Mr Zounis to remove the illegal structure built by him on Crown land. 

Mr Rofe said the court ordered Mr Zounis to remove the structure before January 1. 

“In the event of non-compliance by the man, permission was granted to the former Department of Environment and Primary Industries to remove the structure and furnishings and seek recovery of any debt,” Mr Rofe said. He said that as Mr Zounis did not comply with the court order, the DELWP completed removal operations last week.

Mr Rofe said the DELWP was now working with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure Mr Zounis was aware of his options for alternative housing and support. 

Mr Zounis is expected to meet with a DELWP representative on Wednesday morning to discuss the return of his belongings.

melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au