Spring firewood season opens on Saturday

Friday 31 August, 2012

The spring domestic firewood collection season opens on Saturday 1 September and people are reminded that firewood may only be collected from designated firewood collection areas, and that limits apply to how much can be collected.

While a permit is no longer needed to collect firewood from designated areas of public land during firewood season, and because supplies are limited, to make it fair for all we ask people to adhere to regulations,” Dale Antonysen, Parks Victoria’s Chief Ranger in the Mallee said.

“An individual can collect two cubic metres of fallen wood per person per day for personal use and there is a maximum household collection limit of 16 cubic metres per financial year,” Mr Antonysen said.

Under new legislation, heavy penalties will apply to a number of offences, including collecting firewood outside of the designated collection areas and allocated time periods, collecting more than the maximum allowable amounts, and selling the wood.

DSE and Parks Victoria officers will be increasing patrols of forests, parks and reserves to ensure people are doing the right thing.

“Penalties for many of these offences are severe and on-the-spot fines may be issued,” Mr Antonysen added. “Typical on the spot fines will be around $560 and offences that go to court may be liable to a maximum penalty of a $7,024 fine, one year imprisonment or both.

People also need to know that firewood collection areas may be closed if conditions become unsuitable or if firewood supplies become low. For example, due to the rising Murray River, coups close to the river may need to be closed and people may have to travel further afield to collect firewood from a designated area.

Designated firewood collection areas are carefully located to avoid impacts on environmental and cultural values. Firewood from the designated collection areas is a limited resource that needs to be managed sustainably and distributed in an equitable way. Standing trees and shrubs, living or dead, must not be felled, broken or harmed in any way.

Firewood collection is permitted for domestic use only. If you suspect the illegal sale of firewood or illegal activity, report this to DSE on 136 186.

Maps showing the location of designated firewood collection areas for the 2012 Spring firewood collection season will be available from Friday 31 August, 2012 at: www.dse.vic.gov.au.