Wood collectors in Council sights
Wakefield Regional Council has issued a reminder to roadside wood collectors in areas affected by the Pinery fire – get a permit or face a fine – after reports of road reserves being left a mess by unauthorised collectors.
While Council does not allow roadside wood collecting, it does allow the removal of wood from fire affected areas if a permit has been issued and a range of conditions are met.
“Anyone picking up wood from a roadside in the fire affected area must have a Section 221 Post Fire Tree Removal permit or risk fines,” Mayor Rodney Reid said.
“The permits include a range of conditions which must be followed – including the need to tidy up after removing wood, the need to follow native vegetation requirements and the need to have neighbouring landholder consent.
“It’s unfortunate the reports to Council lately are about unauthorised people being careless and leaving the roadside a mess after removing firewood.
“These cases have left an unsightly mess, including branches left across roads, deep tyre ruts in roadsides and offcuts strewn all over the place. This is unfair to land owners and unsafe for the community.”
Mayor Reid said collecting wood from roadsides was risky and, in many cases, in a breach of native vegetation laws.
Section 221 Post Fire Tree Removal permits can be downloaded from the Council website – wrc.sa.gov.au and sent using the online upload form or via email to admin@wrc.sa.gov.au.
Council’s website also includes an interactive guide on roadside vegetation: https://www.wrc.sa.gov.au/support-for-residents/roadside-vegetation/removing-vegetationtrees