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Collecting Firewood For Winter

It's that time of year again. The nights are cooling and for many Gippsland residents it's time to stock up on firewood for winter warmth.

By Department of Sustainability & Environment - 20th April 2006 - Back to News

Many people take the opportunity for a drive out to the forest to collect their firewood, but it's important to remember that there are some regulations to abide by to protect our forests for the future.

Before collecting firewood from any State forest you must have a firewood permit. These are available from either a Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) office or through a number of retail outlets across the region. All permits are valid for two weeks from the date of purchase.

Firewood collection is not allowed in National Parks, Flora and Fauna Reserves, Special Protection Zones and some areas set-aside for conservation. Collection is also currently not permitted in the areas affected by the Moondarra fire earlier this year.

In many places, DSE has set aside specific coupes for firewood collection, especially where normally-used areas have been affected by fire.

If you are unsure of where to collect, a map is supplied with the permit, outlining areas where wood collection is permitted. Additional information may be available from your local DSE office.

It should also be noted that collection is prohibited from any Shire or Vicroads roadsides.

The Department would like to remind people that firewood patrols are carried out on a regular basis both on ground and in the air. Anyone caught illegally removing wood without a permit could be liable for an on the spot fine of $100 or a court appearance.

Permit applicants should familiarise themselves with the status of the land that they intend to collect firewood from to ensure they are not illegally removing wood.

Firewood is sold on a cubic metre basis, which is roughly a 6' x 4' trailer stacked 18" high. An average family burns around 10 cubic metres over the cooler months.

The cost per cubic metre of firewood for 2005/06 in the East Gippsland Forests (Tambo and East Gippsland) is $9.50 for common species and $14.30 for Box and Ironbark (durable species), however there is a concession for pensioners and holders of a Health Care Card. Concession rates are $5.20 and $7.60.

The cost per cubic metre of firewood for 2005/06 in the Central Gippsland Forests (Central Gippsland and Dandenong) is $13.70 for winter (July – Oct) and $10.10 for summer (November - June), however there is a concession for pensioners and holders of a Health Care Card. Concession rates are $9.40 and $5.80.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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