Designated firewood collection areas across Victoria officially opened on September 1 to allow for collection for personal use, with those collecting reminded to comply with current COVID-related public health orders when collecting.
Forest Fire Management Victoria's Hume deputy chief fire officer Aaron Kennedy said he expected a lot of wood to be collected during this period.
“We are anticipating an increased demand for firewood during the spring and autumn collection seasons due to a range of impacts, including last summer's bushfires,” he said.
“We are urging people who rely on firewood for heating and cooking to consider all options,including purchasing firewood from local merchants selling legally obtained wood.
“In fire-affected communities, we are continuing to look for opportunities to provide alternative collection areas and restrict access to residents of certain postcodes or local government areas.
“We want to remind the community that firewood can only be taken from designated collection areas in state forests or parks during approved collection seasons.
“Designated collection areas are selected for a range of reasons including the availability offirewood, community safety, and to protect sites of cultural and environmental significance.
“Firewood collected from public land is for personal use only and cannot be sold.
“It’s important to stay within collection limits, which are in place to prevent households stockpiling large volumes of firewood from public land and denying others a supply.
“Collection limits include taking a maximum of two cubic metres per person per day and amaximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year.
“The felling of trees and cutting of hollow logs for firewood is also prohibited. Hollow logs and dead trees provide critical habitat for a wide variety of native species.”
Firewood collection from roadsides is managed by local government agencies and usually requires a permit.
Residents are encouraged to contact their local councils directly for further details.
Authorised officers patrol parks, forests and reserves to ensure people are doing the right thing.
The collection of firewood outside designated collection areas or seasons, as well as taking more than the maximum, can be punished by fines of more than $8000, a year in prison or both if the matter goes to court.
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