Hepburn Shire Council, Media Release, 20 August 2021
Hepburn Shire Council will soon hold a three-day trial to finalise the logistics of how best to distribute storm-related firewood to residents and ratepayers for free.
As part of the trial Council is offering a free trailer load of wood of up to two cubic metres (2m3) to the first 135 residents and ratepayers who register for firewood collection via an online booking form.
Mayor, Cr Lesley Hewitt, reiterated this is a preliminary trial, and there will be plenty of free firewood for everyone in the community, following the trial.
“We are starting the program with a one-week trial to smooth out any issues and test our systems,” said Cr Hewitt.
“We are only opening 135 timeslots as part of the trial, however, please be assure that the first few days is simply to test the system. There are thousands of tonnes of firewood available so there is plenty to go around, and we will open more slots shortly,” she said.
Council has allocated a trial day at the transfer stations in Daylesford, Trentham and Creswick. A ten-minute timeframe has been allocated for 45 vehicles to collect wood at each site.
People MUST register for a time to collect the free firewood via Council’s website at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/firewood.
“We realise not everyone has access to the internet. Please be assured that following this trial we will have measures in place to ensure everyone is able to book a time to collect a load of firewood,” said Cr Hewitt.
“Don’t forget, the firewood is green, so it will need to season (dry out) for at least 12 months before it is suitable to burn,” said Cr Hewitt.
“There is plenty of firewood available, and the stockpile will continue to grow over the coming weeks and months as more wood is processed.
“There will be many opportunities for community members to collect the firewood, so if you miss out on the trial, please be patient. You will have the opportunity to collect some firewood for free.”
Trial collection days
Trentham Transfer Station (Cosmo Road) – Monday 23 August
Creswick Transfer Station (Ring Road) – Tuesday 24 August Daylesford Transfer Station (Ajax Road) – Wednesday 25 August
Important details:
- Firewood collection is only available to people who register. Register via links at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/firewood.
- Proof of residence must be provided at the time of collection.
- Firewood will be loaded into trailers only.
- No waste will be accepted by the transfer station on these dates.
More collection days will be announced over coming weeks.
There will be a graduated build-up of firewood stocks throughout September, with regular stocks at each transfer station likely to be offered in coming weeks.
We appreciate the support of the Commonwealth and State Government funding to assist this project.
