The autumn 2020 Firewood Collection Season closes midnight Tuesday June 30, and Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) Grampians Region's Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tony English says DELWP is overall very pleased with the way people have behaved when taking firewood.

"Most people are compliant," he said.

"We've had an increase in the number of people seeking to use firewood, and we think some of that is connected to hardship experienced due to COVID, and we are mindful of that. We've invested effort in educating people we've come across in the forest, and some discretion in the issuing of fines.

"Having said that, we treat firewood theft very seriously, and have secured a number of prosecutions each year, and there is anecdotal evidence of wood being taken from parks."

With demand for wood in the coups growing rapidly, Mr English said staff within the government departments are continually assessing how future needs may have an impact on supply, and on the environment.

"Basically despite our work on age and distribution of trees, some of coups do run out of supply before the season ends; and there is a question about sustainability there, with increasing population and increasing demand," he said.

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"We need to do more work on that. We need the community to buy into that, because the illegal taking of wood is impacting on everyone's capacity to take wood legally, because it puts so much pressure on the forest."

Ballarat is one area which is actively encouraging population growth, and similarly the firewood supply for Ballarat is also one of the most threatened, with reticulated gas limited to certain areas and the price of electrical heating soaring to unaffordable highs.

"There's a real need to invest time and effort in understanding sustainability," Mr English says, "and it's on our radar."

Any information the community may have about the illegal removal of firewood for sale can be reported to DELWP on 136 186.

Concession card holders who rely only on firewood for home heating may be eligible for the non-mains energy concession. More information is available on the Department of Health and Human Services website: https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/non-mains-energy-concession

Victorians on low incomes (both concession card and non-concession card holders) who rely on firewood and have experienced unexpected financial hardship may also be eligible to apply for the non-mains utility relief grant of up to $650 to help with firewood costs.

"A person may apply for the grant if they have an amount owing for a previous firewood purchase, or if they will not be able to afford their next firewood purchase," Mr English said.

Information on eligibility for the Non-Mains Utility Relief Grant Scheme can be found at: https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/utility-relief-grant-scheme-non-mains.

For more information on available financial assistance, community members should phone the Concessions information line on 1800 658 521.