Media release – NRM North, 27 June 2022
Source your firewood sustainably this winter
Whether it is for a campfire or for the fireplace at home, firewood is an important, regionally accessible fuel source for keeping us warm – but is your firewood sustainable, and is it legal?
With colder winters than the rest of Australia, Tasmania has the greatest per person consumption of firewood in the country. It is a common misconception, however, that firewood is a free resource and a person’s right to collect.
Commonly referred to as ‘woodhooking,’ illegal firewood harvesting is the taking of firewood from private and public land (including Crown land) without a permit and is a criminal offense. This includes cutting down living or dead standing trees, or collecting already fallen timber, such as trees, logs and branches, from the ground.
Lauren Bird, Biodiversity Coordinator with NRM North, works with land managers and the community to monitor and protect remaining populations of the critically endangered plant Shy Susan.
“Shy Susan is a native plant adorned in purple flowers in spring and the only place in the world that it is found is in the Beaconsfield foothills in Tasmania. As of 2021 there were less than 200 Shy Susan plants remaining in the wild,” Lauren said.
“Felling trees and removing fallen logs and branches changes the health and composition of the native environment that Shy Susan relies on,” Lauren said. “Off-road vehicles used in firewood collection operations can also cause significant damage and risk spreading weeds and the root rot fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi into sensitive areas, particularly when used on unformed tracks.”
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service undertakes surveillance and patrol activities related to illegal firewood harvesting within Tasmania’s reserves, conservation areas, and national parks and World Heritage Areas. Anyone caught engaging in illegal wood collection may be proceeded against for breaches of legislation including stealing, unlawful possession, trespass and relevant traffic offences.
Ms Bird urged those who are collecting their own firewood to be certain of the land tenure of the collection site and obtain all permits and approvals prior to collection. Be aware that timber harvesting on all land is subject to the Forest Practices Act 1985 and understand when a Forest Practices Plan is required. Harvesters can consider more sustainable options such as collecting waste wood from designated production forest coupes with seasonal permits: learn more at sttas.com.au.
You can report any suspicious activity to Bush Watch on 131 444.
The Saving Shy Susan project is supported by NRM North through funding from the Australian Government.
