A rare thing will happen in Palmerston next week - the Waitaki District Council will give away firewood to residents.
The firewood is from offcuts following harvesting of forestry blocks around the town this year.
Free two-week permits to collect it will be available from Waitaki District Council offices in Oamaru and Palmerston from August 17.
Council parks officer Mike Kwant said people could start collecting firewood from a site on Brough Rd from August 22.
The gesture was a thank you to Palmerston residents for their patience over the period of harvesting during which several blocks of trees were harvested around the township this year, Mr Kwant said.
Many of the logs harvested at Brough Rd were also being milled in Palmerston.
He urged collectors to use protective gear when working with chainsaws and avoid walking on newly planted areas.
The firewood was restricted to personal use only and permit holders were not permitted to sell the firewood they collected.
As many people would be allowed to collect firewood as was ''safe and practical'', he said.
Checks of firewood collectors would be done to ensure all the conditions of permits were complied with, especially those to ensure personal safety.
