The autumn Firewood Collection Season will close across the state at midnight next Tuesday 30th June.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) Grampians Region’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Tony English, said that DELWP supports domestic firewood provision by allowing the collection of firewood from designated parts of public land.

“An individual can collect a maximum of 2 cubic metres of firewood in a day and may collect up to 16 cubic metres per household per financial year.”

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

“From 1 July it is illegal to collect firewood and there are serious penalties for failing to follow firewood collection rules.”

Under Victorian legislation, firewood can only be collected during the firewood collection seasons between 1 March to 30 June 2020 (autumn season) and 1 September to 30 November 2020 (spring season).

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

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

Victorians on low incomes (both concession card and non-concession card holders) who rely on 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,” Mr English said.

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

For more information on available financial assistance, community members should phone the Concessions information line on 1800 658 521.