North West Firewood Collection - Bendigo, Mid Murray, Mildura
To help to ensure the sustainable management of Victoria's forests, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) controls the amount of firewood collected and the areas that are available for collection. Before removing firewood from public lands, including State forests, the proper authorisations must be obtained.
The collection and removal of firewood for domestic use requires a licence or permit issued by DSE or an agent acting on behalf of DSE. A domestic firewood licence or permit is typically issued for a short term and for small quantities of timber only. The firewood must be paid for in advance of collection and a map of areas for collection and other basic conditions are provided.
The Box-Ironbark Firewood season (applicable to Bendigo FMA only) has seen a number of changes over the past few years as a result of the Firewood taskforce Report recommendations in 2004. The changes are intended to make the firewood licence system less complicated and more flexible for customers wanting to purchase firewood.
Select the link to find out more about domestic firewood collection in Victoria's Box-Ironbark Forests and Woodlands
Types of firewood to use
Firewood should be as dry as possible for burning. Green (or 'wet') wood is difficult to light, gives off a lot of smoke and produces less heat. Firewood collected from State forest is more likely to be green. However if cut and stored correctly, green wood can be dried out enough to burn well within 12 months.
To aid drying, firewood should be cut into small pieces and stacked loosely, off the ground and with good air flow. It is recommended that firewood be collected during the warmer months and at least 12 months in advance of when you intend to burn it.
The best type of wood to burn is open to debate. However heavy eucalypt timbers are typically favoured for firewood. As a general rule, heavier timbers produce more heat for the volume of wood and last longer in burning. However, most types of wood are suitable for burning when dry.
Rules for collecting firewood
- Before collecting firewood from State forest you must have a valid licence or permit.
- When collecting firewood you must carry your licence or permit with you at all times.
- Your licence or permit must be shown to any employee or agent of DSE that asks to see it.
- Unless specifically authorised, only collect fallen timber. You must not cut down any standing tree (either dead or alive) or cut or break off any part of a standing tree for firewood.
- Follow the conditions of the licence or permit, including the amount of firewood you are authorised to remove.
- Only use formed roads to access areas for collecting firewood.
- Avoid collecting firewood after a prolonged period of wet weather.
- Chainsaws must not be used on days of Total Fire Ban.
- Take all litter with you when you leave.
For futher information on Domestic Firewood Collection
Information Sheet - collecting domestic firewood in State forest in western Victoria (PDF - 1.3 MB)The cost of a domestic firewood permit
The cost of a domestic firewood permit varies, depending on a number of factors including the level of demand for domestic firewood and the cost associated with making domestic firewood available. The current cost of a cubic metre of firewood for domestic use (including GST) is:
Forest Management Area | Category | Permit charge ($/m3 incl. GST) | |
 | | Durable Species | Common Species |
Mid Murray | Sawlog Harvesting Residue Standard Concession Firewood Production Area Standard Concession | $16.75 $ 9.40 $27.50 $20.15 | $11.45 $ 6.75 $22.20 $17.50 |
Mildura | Standard Concession | $23.30 $15.95 | $18.00 $13.30 |
Bendigo | Dry Fallen Firewood Standard Concession Green Fallen Firewood Standard Concession Green Standing Firewood Standard Concession | $27.50 $20.15 $20.55 $13.20 $17.30 $ 9.95 | $22.20 $17.50 $15.25 $10.55 $12.00 $ 7.30 |
Concession rate is available to holders of an eligible cards. These include Pensioner Concession Cards, Health Care Card, Repatriation Health Card (excluding Dependant).
The price of domestic firewood is reviewed annually.
Where to buy a domestic firewood permit
Domestic firewood permits can be purchased from any DSE office - DSE office location details. Domestic firewood permits can also be purchased from the following outlets:
Town | Agency Name | Agency Address |
| Boundary Bend | Boundary Bend General Store & Murray River Caravan Park | 27 Murray Valley Highway, Boundary Bend Vic 3599 |
| Cohuna | Cohuna First and Last | 6323 Murray Valley Highway, Cohuna Vic 3568 |
| Cullulleraine | Cullulleraine Store & Liquor Supplies | 5370 Sturt Highway, Cullulleraine Vic 3496 |
| Gunbower | Gunny Roadhouse | 22-26 Main Street, Gunbower Vic 3566 |
| Kerang | Coles Express Kerang | 57-59 Welling Street, Kerang Vic 3579 |
| Koondrook | Koondrook General Store | 87 Main Street, Koondrook Vic 3580 |
| Mildura | Westside Valencia | 240 Tenth Street, Mildura Vic 3500 |
| Nagiloc | Nangiloc Store & Tavern | 2674 Kulkyne Way, Nagiloc Vic 3494 |
| Piangil | Piangil General Store | 4 Mallee Highway, Piangil Vic 3597 |
| Red Cliffs | Red Cliffs Auto & Marine | 2 Ilex Street, Red Cliffs Vic 3496 |
| Robinvale | Robinvale Corner Store | 80 George Street, Robinvale Vic 3549 |
| Swan Hill | Swan Hill Region Information Centre | Cnr McCrae & Curlewis Streets, Swan Hill Vic 3585 |
| Wemen | Wemen Gas & Gobble | 3668 Hattah Robinvale Road, Wemen Vic 3549 |