Firewood Depots Open for the Season

Published on 28 April 2025

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Firewood Depots Open for the Season

The Rural City of Wangaratta’s firewood depots at Glenrowan and Eldorado open to residents from 8.30am on Tuesday 29 April. This follows the Country Fire Authority’s announcement that the North East region’s Fire Danger Period has been lifted.

Those planning to gather firewood are advised to check the depots to make sure there is timber available, then purchase a permit from the Wangaratta Government Centre or the Glenrowan Post Office.

Permits are not available to purchase from the Eldorado store this year. The cost of a permit is $25 and $16.50 for concession card holders, this allows for collection of up to 2 cubic metres. A chainsaw is required to cut wood into a manageable size and safety measures must be adhered to when collecting from the depots.

Firewood at the depots has been sustainably sourced with timber salvaged from storm events, Council works, and plantation timber. It is often green and generally requires seasoning for 12 months before it is suitable for burning. Burning green firewood should be avoided as it will produce more smoke, is harder to light and burn, will not provide as much heat, and can also cause chimneys and flues to become blocked.

Timber from the firewood depots is for domestic use only, it is an offence to on-sell, and penalties apply. To ensure fair access for residents a daily limit is set at 2 cubic metres with an annual limit of 6 cubic metres per household. 

Accessing firewood from Council depots without a permit will result in a fine.

Collection of firewood from roadsides and reserves managed by Council and Regional Roads Victoria is prohibited and penalties apply for illegal collection. Roadside collection is only allowed on the specific roads listed by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) in State forests during Autumn and Spring collection periods.

 

Additional Information

Heating your Home

In addition to polluting the air, smoke from firewood can also be harmful to our health. Using and maintaining wood heaters correctly can reduce wood smoke pollution. Some tips to help avoid this include:

  • Use dry and seasoned timber with a moisture content below 20%.
  • Store your firewood undercover, in a dry place.
  • Have your flue cleaned. A build-up of soot can cause fires in the flue and will affect air flow.
  • Avoid overloading the heater or shutting off the air intake.

 

To make it easier to heat your home the Victorian government is currently offering rebates to upgrade to energy efficient heating and cooling. Find out here:  Heating and cooling for households energy.vic.gov.au

 

Forest Fire Management Victoria

www.ffm.vic.gov.au or call 136 186.

 

Council’s Firewood Depots

www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/Residents/Environment-and-sustainability/Collecting-firewood

 

 

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