A decision by the Northern Grampians Shire Council has made the collection of firewood from roadsides easier.
General Manager Customer Services, Jim Nolan, said Council’s Roadside Vegetation Management Plan, adopted in June 2008, had effectively precluded most of the local roads in the Shire from being accessed by residents for firewood collection.
Following requests from the public, the Council resolved at its July 2009 meeting to review the RVMP, overseen by Council’s Assets and Transport Committee, to provide for a long term solution. The outcomes from the Royal Commission into the February 2009 bushfires may also be of relevance in this process.
Permits will still be issued by Council for the collection of firewood on many Shire local roads unless they are listed as being highly significant or sign posted as a conservation area.
Additional permit conditions will be included to ensure any removal is carried out safely and for fallen timber only. The removal of standing trees and firewood from Vicroads Highways and Arterial roads will remain prohibited.
Councillor Barry Marrow said now would be a great time for people to stockpile their firewood.
“The recent storms resulted in a lot of fallen trees around the Shire. It’s in all of our best interests for these to be cleared in some way so taking them for firewood is a great solution and the new provisions make this a lot easier to do”, Cr. Marrow said.
Residents are encouraged to plan ahead for their firewood needs by storing green fallen timber for later use, as fallen dry timber is becoming less accessible on both DSE crown land and on local roads.
Anyone interested in obtaining a permit for firewood collection should call in to the Stawell or St. Arnaud customer service centres.
Enquiries to Amy Rhodes
Communications Coordinator
Phone: (03) 5358 8752
Mobile: 0403 366 025
Email: amy.rhodes@ngshire.vic.gov.au
