Illegal firewood collection threatening native vegetation and wildlife

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Council is urging the community to do the right thing when it comes to firewood collection, following recent reports of illegal activity.

Resource Recovery and Environment Portfolio Councillor Karine Haslam said that while the current COVID-19 restrictions allow firewood collection for those of us in regional Victoria, there are rules governing where and when this can happen.

‘Firewood collection is not permitted in national parks, natural catchment areas, conservation reserves or on roadsides managed by VicRoads. In fact, there are heavy penalties for people found cutting down trees, cutting up fallen trees or even just collecting firewood in unauthorised areas, or without a permit.

‘When collecting firewood from a Council-managed roadside a permit is required. If you receive a permit from Council, it will stipulate roadsides of significant conservation value where it is illegal to collect firewood. These roadsides are also listed here.

/Public Release. View in full here.