Firewood collection season opens

THE Autumn Firewood Collection Season started last Sunday and will close on 30 June.
Gippsland Regional manager, Richard Teychenne, from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Fire and Land, said people must abide by regulations.
Mr Teychenee said it was also important that people understood the specific regulations that applied to the area in which they wanted to collect.
“It’s important that people collect firewood from designated areas and stay within collection limits,” he said.
“This includes taking a maximum of two cubic metres per person, per day, and a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household, per financial year.
“Designated collection areas are put in place to protect sites of cultural and environmental significance.
“Also, some households rely on firewood for winter energy, so consider others when taking wood.”
Mr Teychenne said people should check where designated collection areas were in their local area.
Permission from local government is needed for the collection of firewood from roadsides under their management.
He said people should also check local weather and forest conditions to make sure it was safe before collecting firewood.
“Wood collected during the autumn may be green and will burn best if cut and stored correctly for 12 months,” he said.
The felling of any trees for firewood is strictly prohibited.
DELWP and Parks Victoria staff will be patrolling parks, forests and reserves to ensure people are doing the right thing while collecting their firewood.
For regional variations, and more information about firewood collection, visit www.delwp.vic.gov.au/firewood.
Alternatively, call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.