New firewood collection area rules

Moorabool residents are being advised that changes to firewood collection regulations on public land in Central Victoria take effect on Tuesday 1 March 2022, to help preserve local firewood resources for the future.

Under the new changes, firewood collection from designated areas in state forests within parts of Central Victoria, will be restricted to residents of specific local shires only.

Visitors from the Grampians region and other parts of Victoria will no longer be able to access firewood from state forests in Central Victoria. They will still be able to collect firewood from designated collection areas within their own region.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) Forest Planning team leader Amy Groch said the changes will maintain a more sustainable domestic firewood supply for local residents in Central Victoria.

“While firewood is free to collect, supply is not unlimited. This means firewood needs to be managed responsibly to ensure environmental sustainability,” Ms Groch said.

“These changes aim to ensure that local communities gain greater access to the available firewood this autumn in preparation for winter.

“We want to remind the community that firewood can only be taken from designated collection areas in state forests or parks during approved collection seasons, in Autumn from 1 March to 30 June and Spring from 1 September to 30 November.

“Designated collection areas are selected for a range of reasons including the availability of firewood, community safety, and to protect sites of cultural and environmental significance.”

The permitted Local Government Areas who will have access to firewood from Central Victorian state forests are Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Gannawarra, Hepburn, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mitchell, Mt Alexander, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees and Strathbogie Shire Councils; City of Greater Bendigo, and Greater Shepparton

A list of the Central Victorian state forests with the new restrictions can be found at www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-02-15/12

in the 15 February 2022 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.