As part of the storm recovery clean-up, Hepburn Shire Council will make free firewood available Shire residents and ratepayers.
Council will run a trial from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 of August with 45 timeslots available per day at the three Shire transfer stations.
“We are starting the program with a one-week trial to smooth out any issues and test our systems,” said Mayor, Cr Lesley Hewitt. “We are only opening 135 timeslots as in this part of the trial. However, please be assured that this first few days is simply to test the system. There are thousands of tonnes of firewood available so there is plenty to go around. We will open more slots shortly,” she said.
Residents and ratepayers who book can collect up to 2 cubic metres of firewood. As the wood is green it will need to dry out for at least 12 months before it is suitable to burn.
Bookings are essential. To book a place on the trial using the following links:
Daylesford Transfer Station (Ajax Road) – Wednesday 25 August book via https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/165095823051
Trentham Transfer Station (Cosmo Road) – Monday 23 August – book via https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/165215858079
Creswick Transfer Station (Ring Road) – Tuesday 24 August – book via https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/165216160985
Timeslots for the trial are expected to book out quickly but there will be many additional opportunities over the coming months. 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 realise not everyone has access to the internet,” added Cr Hewitt. “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. There is plenty of firewood available, and the stockpile will continue to grow over the coming weeks and months as more wood is processed.”
The Commonwealth and State Government have provided funding to assist this project.
To keep up to date on the firewood distribution plan, visit the Council webpage at https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/firewood.
