General News
10 March, 2026
Firewood collection areas now open
Residents in the Buloke, Northern Grampians and Loddon local government areas (LGAs) will have fair access to firewood in central Victorian state forests after the season opened on March 1 until June 30.
VICTORIANS can collect free firewood for personal use from designated state forest firewood collection areas from March 1.
Due to ongoing elevated fire risk, the season will start on Wednesday, April 1 in the Murray Goldfields District, which spans from Cohuna and Echuca in the north through Bendigo and surrounding forests to Kyneton and Macedon in the south.
Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) Loddon Mallee Region Director Forest and Fire Operations Scott Falconer said supporting regional communities to access firewood remains a priority.
“We know how important firewood is for many regional Victorians, which is why we are working with our neighbouring district to bring storm debris from the Wombat State Forest into our local collection areas,” Mr Falconer said.
“This work will ensure firewood is available for our communities this autumn, and we’re moving quickly to establish additional collection points.”
Mr Falconer said collection areas in the Murray Goldfield District would open on Wednesday, 1 April.
“Predicted low rainfall and elevated fire risk mean extra precautions are needed to protect communities and the environment,” he said.
“Using equipment like chainsaws during hot, dry conditions can increase the risk of bushfires starting, so we need to make sure people can collect safely.”
He also reminded collectors to stay on formed tracks and only gather from designated areas, to reduce both fire risk and environmental impacts.
Once the season opens, firewood collection from Central Victorian state forests will be limited to residents of the following Local Government Areas to ensure local communities have fair access:
Buloke Shire Council
Greater Shepparton City Council
Mt Alexander Shire Council
Campaspe Shire Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Northern Grampians Shire Council
AdvertisementCentral Goldfields Shire Council
Loddon Shire Council
Pyrenees Shire Council
Gannawarra Shire Council
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
City of Greater Bendigo
Mitchell Shire Council
“If your driver’s licence shows your address as being in one of these LGAs, you can collect wood from the designated areas,” Mr Falconer said.
Restrictions remain in place for firewood collection near Cohuna. Only residents from Campaspe, Gannawarra, Loddon and Swan Hill Rural City Council areas are permitted to collect from Gunbower State Forest.
Residents can collect free firewood from 1 April until 30 June 2025, although individual sites may close earlier if supplies run out.
People can collect up to two cubic metres per person per day and a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year.
Authorised Officers patrol state forests and can issue fines of more than $814 to those caught breaking the firewood collection rules. If prosecuted in court more serious offending can result in maximum penalties of $10,175 and/or 12 months in prison. Authorised Officers can also seize chainsaws, trailers, vehicles, and equipment that’s used in the commission of offending.
Information and updates, including maps of collection areas, are available on www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood.
Maps are available online from 1 March, except for the Murray Goldfields District whose maps will be published on 1 April.
Community members can find out more about collecting firewood by calling 136 186. Suspected illegal firewood collection can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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