A Saturday Age report “How our national parks were dragged into the culture wars” by Bianca Hall claims that firewood collection from state forests is not allowed. This is factually incorrect.
“You can only collect firewood from designated collection areas in state forests during the autumn and spring domestic firewood collection seasons,” DEECA states.
Using the Toolangi State Forest in Murrindindi Shire as an example, firewood collection is allowed from state forests during the ‘collection seasons’ from March 1 to June 30 and September 1 to November 30 annually.
“Permits are not required to collect firewood from state forests provided that wood is taken from a designated collection point. Collection points open from March 1- June 30 and September 1- November 30 each year,” the Murrnindindi Shire website states.
“You can collect firewood for domestic use in state forests and those parks where collection is allowed,” the Mitchell Shire website states.
In some instances, a permit may be required before collecting firewood.
A former Kinglake National Park ranger told VicNews that “collecting firewood from state forests is allowed so long as it is done during the collection seasons in designated areas.”
In state forests, these are often previously logged areas.
Bianca Hall is the Climate and environment reporter for The Age. The print report is on pages 12-13 of today’s The Age (Saturday, February 8, 2025).
The Age did not respond to a request for comment. We will publish a response if received.
