As winter approaches the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate action (DEECA) is encouraging residents of the Yarra Ranges to take care when purchasing firewood to avoid supporting illegal trade.
Firewood season opened a week ago and this year the Conservation Regulator Victoria is targeting firewood theft.
The illegal take of timber for firewood continues to cause environmental and cultural damage in the Yarra Ranges, which is why the Conservation Regulator runs targeted operations on firewood theft in the Yarra Ranges including through Operation Falcon in 2022 and continuing with Operation Hollows this year.
Kate Gavens, Chief Conservation Regulator encourages people to protect the forest to avoid cultural and environmental damage.
“We can all do our part in protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage, wildlife habitat and biodiversity by knowing where, when and what firewood can be collected,” she said.
Areas around Warburton, Mt Donna Buang and Narbethong have been targeted by firewood thieves in recent years.
The Yarra Ranges is home to many iconic Australian native animals including the Leadbeater’s Possum, and the public can help protect wildlife habitat by only collecting firewood from designated areas.
You can find your closest designated collection area online at: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/firewood-collection-in-your-region
You can collect a maximum of two cubic metres of firewood per person per day and a maximum of 16 cubic metres of firewood per household per financial year.
Only collect fallen timber, except timber containing hollows.
Last year the Conservation Regulator laid 625 charges and issued 85 infringement notices and 16 official warnings for firewood offences, including cutting or taking fallen or felled trees, and disturbing, damaging or destroying wildlife habitat.
Cases which were resolved in the Magistrate Court system faced convictions, fines and had chainsaws and trailers forfeited and destroyed.
It is also important firewood collectors understand their obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.
All Aboriginal places, objects and Ancestral remains are protected in Victoria.
It is an offence to harm Aboriginal heritage and substantial penalties apply.
The Conservation Regulator is aware that timber taken illegally from the Yarra Ranges could be sold on to the community.
The public is asked to be vigilant when purchasing firewood to avoid inadvertently supporting this illegal trade, by asking where the wood comes from, requesting a receipt and questioning if the wood seems too cheap.
If buyers suspect the wood has been illegally sourced, they are encouraged to make an anonymous report to 136 186.
