It is important to know where firewood comes from, but this isn’t always obvious to buyers when looking at advertisements or signs.
Firewood merchants should source from a wholesale supplier, commercial wood lot or from private land with the permission of the landowner and in accordance with the Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case, with firewood illegally taken from our forests appearing on the market.
Illegal firewood removal from our forests creates safety risks, damages the environment, and destroys wildlife habitat.
Major Mitchell's cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri)
The vulnerable Major Mitchell’s cockatoo nests at the bottom of tree hollows.
Bearded dragon (Pogona barbata)
Bearded dragons prefer living in trees in woodlands and dry forests.
Powerful owl (Ninox strenua)
Powerful owls are endangered in Victoria and nest in large hollow trees.
Brush-tailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa)
The rare Brush-tailed Phascogale relies on hollows in dead or live trees to nest multiple times each year.
Red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne)
The Red-tailed black cockatoo is threatened in Victoria require large hollows in eucalypts like River Red Gum for nesting.
Lace monitor (Varanus varius)
Lace monitors forage through tree hollows for food sources
We urge all Victorians to ask questions before they buy, to avoid inadvertently supporting illegal firewood operators and to reduce the impact of these illegal activities on our environment.
Questions for firewood merchants
The community can report suspected illegal cutting or removal of firewood anonymously by calling 136 186.
For more information on how you can help to protect Victoria’s environment, read the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s Biodiversity 2037 report.
Updated