Fire‑affected households across Murrindindi Shire will continue to be supported with access to firewood this winter through a Council‑managed supply, following the January 2026 Longwood bushfires.
This year, for safety and environmental reasons, personal roadside firewood collection will not be permitted within fire‑affected areas until September 2026.
Each year, Council permits residents to collect firewood from designated Council‑managed roadsides between 1 March - 30 June and 1 September - 30 November, with several 'No Collection Roads' identified to protect sensitive environments. This arrangement will continue to apply outside the fire‑affected footprint.
This year, however, the scale and severity of roadside impacts within the fire-affected areas mean Council must take a different approach.
Council understands that many fire‑affected residents traditionally rely on roadside firewood collection. Council's priority is to ensure fire‑impacted communities have fair and safe access to firewood while protecting fragile environments that are still recovering.
The pause applies to personal roadside collection in unsafe, recovering areas - not to access to firewood itself.
Currently, some roads in the fire‑affected area remain completely closed, while others are restricted to authorised access only to allow essential works and ensure community safety. These closures and restrictions mean roadside firewood collection cannot safely occur in these locations.
The burnt roadsides across the fire-affected region are also extremely vulnerable. Soil conditions are fragile, natural regeneration of plants and trees has only just begun, and many roadsides are still structurally unsafe.
Unrestricted public access and disturbance in these areas could slow recovery, increase erosion, and damage important habitat.
To support residents during recovery, Council is processing fire‑affected trees into usable timber and split firewood. Once ready, the split firewood will be available for eligible community members to collect through a managed process.
As a result, Council will not permit personal collection of firewood from any roadsides within the fire‑affected areas until September 2026.
Existing 'No Collection Roads' will remain in place, and all additional roads within the bushfire footprint will be temporarily added to this list with a review to take place later in 2026.
Council recognises the importance of firewood for many households across the Shire and will continue to support impacted residents through a safer, managed supply and clear information as the recovery process continues.
