Illegal firewood collection can damage parks and reserves. It can also destroy important wildlife habitat and biodiversity.
Our native animals rely on trees and vegetation in our parks and bushland reserves for shelter, nesting and food. This is critical in an urban environment, and protecting these trees helps support local biodiversity and threatened species.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action's Conservation Regulator encourages residents to:
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Learn where, when and how much firewood can be legally collected by visiting the Sourcing firewood webpage.
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Buy firewood from reputable suppliers who source timber legally.
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Consider alternative heating and cooking methods to reduce reliance on firewood.
Firewood can only be collected from designated public collection areas during the autumn and spring collection seasons.
In Whitehorse:
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Do not cut down, break off or damage any standing trees or shrubs, even if they're dead.
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Do not remove dead branches or logs from parks or bushland as this is providing important habitat for local fauna.
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Cut firewood will occasionally be left on residential nature strips which can be collected by community members.