September 9th, 2026Firewood collection

Victorians can prepare for next winter by collecting free firewood for personal use from state forest collection areas until November 30.
Forest and Fire Management Victoria Deputy Chief Fire Officer Michael Condon said there were 21 designated firewood collection areas in state forests in the Grampians region.
“Firewood for domestic use from state forests comes from naturally fallen trees and by-product from forest and fire management works. As a result, the amount that is available will vary.
“Collectors should prepare for less firewood to be available in the Midlands District – including the Wombat and Mount Cole state forests – due to the end of regional fire and storm recovery works as well as changes due to the creation of new national parks and conservation reserves.
“Free firewood collection from designated areas will remain during spring and autumn in the southern addition to Hepburn Regional Park, the addition to Bendigo Regional Park, and the new Barkstead, Blackwood, Fingerpost and Spargo Creek regional parks until July 1, 2029. Firewood collection will not be permitted in the new Mount Buangor, Pyrenees and Wombat-Lerderderg national parks or new Cobaw and Hepburn conservation parks.”
Mr Condon said three firewood collection sites would be available in October for those who previously accessed firewood collection areas in the Wombat State Forest.
“For people who previously collected firewood from collection areas in the Mt Cole State Forest, two firewood collection sites will be available.”
Mr Condon said people who relied on firewood for heating and cooking should plan early and organise their collection with maps available at www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood
Financial assistance is available for people on low incomes who buy firewood: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/energy-concession-and-support
“People can collect up to two cubic metres per person per day with a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year as long as they collect from designated firewood collection areas during a firewood season.”
Mr Condon said it was illegal to collect wood outside designated areas or to chop down or damage any dead or standing trees. It’s also an offence to take vehicles off formed roads to collect or load.
Words: Kyle Barnes