Spring firewood collection period ends

29 November, 2011

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is reminding Victorians that the firewood collection season closes tomorrow (30/11/11) in State forests and parks across the state.

DSE Executive Director Forests and Parks Lee Miezis said: “The Victorian Government introduced consistent state-wide firewood collection seasons when it abolished permits for firewood collection. Firewood collection seasons reduce the environmental and safety risks associated with firewood collection.”

Firewood can be collected for personal use from designated collection areas during autumn between 1 March and 30 June, and spring between 1 September and 30 November.

“The new approach to firewood collection is about balancing the needs of the community and the needs of the environment.” Mr Miezis said.

“The threat of bushfires over summer and the risk of damaging forest access tracks during wet weather in winter are important reasons why we have specific firewood collection times.

“Summer is our peak fire season and firewood collection can increase the risk of fire. Seasons also provide certainty to the community about when they can collect firewood.

“We also want to remind Victorians that it is illegal to collect firewood outside the firewood collection season in State Forests and those Parks where collection is allowed.”

Permission from VicRoads or local government is needed for the collection of firewood from roadsides under their management. VicRoads does not currently allow firewood collection on roads they manage.

For more information on collecting firewood on public land, go to www.dse.vic.gov.au/firewood or contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136186.