Protecting Our Public Lands
The removal of firewood from Crown land in New South Wales is strictly prohibited and can result in significant fines.
This activity is considered a “key threatening process” because it harms native habitats and degrades ecosystems.
Dead wood and dead trees provide essential shelter and camouflage for many native animals.
In Australia, about 290 vertebrate species use tree hollows, which can take between 120 and 200 years to form in eucalypts.
As the Crown Land Manager for local Crown reserves, Wentworth Shire Council is responsible for protecting these lands for the benefit of the community and future generations. We have the power to enforce compliance with relevant legislation to prevent unauthorised activities, damage, and degradation of these areas.
Prohibited Activities and Penalties
Under the Crown Land Management Act 2016 and the Crown Land Management Regulation 2018, a number of activities are prohibited on Crown reserves to preserve their environmental and cultural values. These include:
- Firewood or Timber Removal: Collecting or removing any dead or live vegetation, whether fallen or standing.
- Environmental Damage: Damaging or interfering with Aboriginal cultural objects, digging up land without permission or dumping waste.
- Other Restricted Activities: Driving or parking vehicles outside designated areas, camping without a permit, and lighting fires or bonfires.
Violating these rules is an offense and may lead to substantial penalties. The Crown Land Management Act 2016 increased penalties to act as a stronger deterrent. For individuals, fines can be up to 1,000 penalty units plus 100 penalty units for each day the offense continues. (Note: One penalty unit is currently equal to $110).
Where You Can Get Firewood
Firewood collection is not permitted on Crown land in Wentworth Shire. This includes specific areas like Thegoa Lagoon, where signs clearly state, “Do not cut or collect firewood”.
Residents who rely on wood heaters have other legal options for obtaining firewood:
- Private Property: You can collect firewood on private land with the landholder’s permission.
- State Forests: In some State Forests, you may be able to collect fallen timber from designated areas with a valid permit from the Forestry Corporation. You must not cut down any standing trees, dead or alive.
It is important to note that you should never burn treated or painted wood, as the fumes and ash can be toxic.
How to Report Illegal Activity
If you see someone illegally collecting firewood or other materials from Crown reserves or roadsides, please report it to the Council as soon as you can. Your information will be treated confidentially.
Please provide the following details if possible:
- Date and time
- Location / GPS coordinates
- A description of the activity observed
- Vehicle make, model, colour and registration
- Any photos or short video clips
- Any other information you think could be relevant
Further Information
For more information about Crown land management and regulations, please contact us.