State forests and parks firewood collection points patrolled this weekend

4 April, 2012

The Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria will be patrolling state forests and parks this weekend to ensure people comply with the rules and regulations around firewood collection.

Firewood can now be collected without a permit from designated areas of state forests and parks.

DSE Compliance Manager Murray Rohde said people collecting firewood can’t cut down trees and are only allowed to use the wood available in designated areas.

“We encourage people the do the right thing to ensure firewood is available for everyone and for those that don’t comply with the law, heavy penalties apply,” Mr Rohde said.

“Only fallen timber is to be collected and people are not to damage, disturb or destroy any wildlife habitat such as hollow logs or standing trees.

“Firewood collection is permitted for personal use only and heavy machinery such as log splitters, trucks and tractors are not allowed when collecting firewood.”

DSE compliance officers conduct routine patrols throughout the firewood season from 1 March to 30 June to ensure firewood collection is done in a safe way that complies with the law.

“People should only drive on existing forest tracks or roads when collecting firewood in designated areas,” Mr Rohde said.

“It’s also important that anyone collecting firewood understands that all wildlife in Victoria is protected and cannot be killed, trapped, harassed, traded or held in captivity without the appropriate licence.”

Maps are available at www.dse.vic.gov.au/forests/firewood showing designated firewood collection areas in state forests and parks across Victoria.

Firewood collection areas will only be located and opened in state forests and parks when access is viable, and may be closed early if weather is unfavourable.

If you suspect the illegal sale of firewood or other offences have been committed in our forests and parks report this to DSE on 136 186.