Four Wheel Drive Victoria has been altered by Forest Fire Management Victoria that the autumn 2021 firewood collection season will close across Victoria at midnight Wednesday 30 June.                                                      

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) Hume Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Aaron Kennedy said: “From 1 July it is illegal to collect firewood from public land.

“Domestic firewood is a limited resource. Under Victorian legislation, firewood can only be collected from designated firewood collection areas of State Forests during the firewood collection season which runs from 1 March to 30 June 2021 and 1 September to 30 November 2021.

“Roadside collection outside of designated collection areas is not permitted at any time.

“Limits are in place to prevent households stockpiling large volumes of firewood from public land and denying others a supply,” Mr Kennedy said.

Any information the community may have about the illegal removal of firewood for sale can be reported to DELWP on 136 186.

Concession card holders who rely only on buying firewood for home heating may be eligible for the non-mains energy concession. More information is available on the Department of Health and Human Services website: https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/non-mains-energy-concession

Victorians on low incomes (both concession card and non-concession card holders) who rely on buying firewood and have experienced unexpected financial hardship may also be eligible to apply for the non-mains utility relief grant of up to $650 to help with firewood costs.

A person may apply for the grant if they have an amount owing for a previous firewood purchase, or if they will not be able to afford their next firewood purchase.

Information on eligibility for the Non-Mains Utility Relief Grant Scheme can be found at: services.dffh.vic.gov.au/utility-relief-grant-scheme-non-mains

From July 2021 low income households whose primary source of heating is wood, gas-fired or an electric heater more than 7 years old can apply for the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program. The program provides a base rebate of $1,000 towards the cost of purchasing and installing a high-efficiency heating and cooling system. Find out more about the program at: heatingupgrades.vic.gov.au

FFMVic supports domestic firewood provision through the creation of firewood collection areas on public land and a list of these areas can be found at www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood

During the designated collection periods an individual can collect a maximum of two cubic metres of firewood in a day and may collect up to 16 cubic metres per household per financial year.
If you are collecting firewood before the season ends, be considerate, use common sense, follow physical distancing requirements and stay safe.