With the weather starting to cool, residents are reminded that the collection of firewood from all roadsides in the Council Region is prohibited.
Council would like to make residents aware that the following activities are prohibited without prior authorisation in any roadside reserve area:
Collection of firewood.
Collection of rock, sand, gravel, dirt, or any vegetative material.
Burning, clearing, grading, ploughing or any disturbance to soil or vegetation.
Grazing, tethering, or droving of stock or bee keeping activities.
Trimming or lopping of trees or other vegetation.
If residents are unsure if their planned roadside activities are prohibited, they are advised to check with Council by calling 1300 459 689.
Council is committed to providing habitat for native fauna and protecting road users. The collection of firewood from roadsides can prove to be a dangerous practice for both the wood collector and motorists.
The same restrictions also apply to Crown Reserve, Travelling Stock Routes, and State Forests. Council’s roadsides and reserves are often the last refuge of intact remnant woodlands and are of high conservation status. By conserving these small areas of existing vegetation, Council hopes to maintain viable habitat corridors for native fauna and maintain and enhance the richness of flora and fauna in our environment. Firewood on public land can only be collected and removed under a permit from the relevant agency. This may be the RMS, NSW State Forestry, Local Land Services. Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, however, does not issue permits.
Council can issue significant fines to anyone caught collecting wood from the side of the road and cutting down a tree may result in prosecution.
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