Firewood collection

Council-managed land

You cannot cut or collect firewood from AlburyCity-managed:

• roadsides and road reserves
• parks and recreation reserves
• bushland reserves
• other Council-owned or managed land.

This includes standing trees, dead trees, fallen branches, logs and other natural material.

Private property

You may collect fallen timber from private property with the landholder’s permission.

Before cutting or removing standing vegetation, check whether Council approval or another authorisation is required. Vegetation protections may apply even where the tree is dead.

Dead trees, fallen branches and logs provide essential habitat for native wildlife.

Hollows and fallen timber can provide:

• nesting and shelter sites for birds, bats, reptiles and mammals
• refuge for insects and other small animals
• food for fungi and invertebrates
• nutrients that support healthy soil
• habitat connections across fragmented landscapes.

Removing dead wood and dead trees is recognised in NSW as a key threatening process because it reduces habitat available to native species.

If you collect firewood lawfully from private property or an authorised collection area:

• obtain the landholder’s permission or the required permit
• follow all collection-area and permit conditions
• avoid timber containing hollows
• leave some fallen timber as habitat
• do not cut standing trees unless specifically authorised
• avoid disturbing native vegetation, waterways and culturally significant sites
• purchase firewood from a reputable supplier if suitable collection areas are unavailable.

Report someone cutting or removing firewood, trees, plants, rocks or other natural material from Council-managed land.

Provide:

• the date and time
• the location
• a description of the activity
• photographs, if they can be taken safely
• vehicle registration, make, model and colour, if available.

Do not approach or confront the person.