Firewood Collection

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) regulates the taking of firewood from native forests and Crown land to protect our woodlands and wildlife. Only a few public firewood collection areas exist and they are located in the Perth Hills and South‑West of Western Australia, many hundreds of kilometres from Kalgoorlie‑Boulder. There are no DBCA‑managed firewood collection areas in the Goldfields, so removing wood from Crown land near Kalgoorlie‑Boulder is not permitted.

Greenbelt restrictions – To protect the remnant woodland around our towns, you must not cut or remove any wood within:

  • a 20‑kilometre radius of the Kalgoorlie‑Boulder town centre;
  • a 7.5‑kilometre radius of the Kambalda or Coolgardie town centres.

Collecting from Crown land – Under the Land Administration (Land Management) Regulations 2006, collecting firewood from unallocated Crown land is generally prohibited. Small amounts of dead wood may be collected for a campfire only within a designated camping or picnic area and only if signage specifically states that firewood collection is allowed. Taking firewood home from Crown land is not authorised.

Private land – Firewood may be collected from private property only with the written permission of the landowner. When transporting that wood you must carry the written authority to show to rangers or police on request. Firewood collected from private land cannot be sold, exchanged or traded for commercial gain.

Where to get firewood – If you rely on firewood for heating, please use one of the following lawful options:

  1. Purchase firewood from a licensed supplier. The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage advises that illegal removal of firewood from State‑managed land can lead to prosecution; buying from reputable suppliers helps protect native bushland.
  2. Collect firewood from DBCA‑designated areas in the Perth Hills or South‑West. These areas are marked on DBCA’s maps and some require a permit. Visit the DBCA’s firewood page for maps and permit information: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/licences-and-permits/firewood.

Remember: cutting down living trees (even dead standing trees) is illegal; only take fallen dead wood where collection is authorised. Always respect greenbelt restrictions and leave our bushland healthy for future generations.

For more information, visit the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions website.