Vital firewood supplies are dwindling across Northern Victoria as winter sets in.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said the availability of firewood had been an increasing problem for several years but was worse than ever this year.
Ms Broad said she was contacted by several people concerned about a lack of available firewood in the months leading up to winter and she raised the issue in Parliament. A recent reply from the Minister confirmed less firewood would be available.
“One local resident made enquiries about the domestic firewood collection in the Bendigo area that was due to start on March 1. He was told there would be no wood available to collect, as the staff responsible for firewood collection areas have work bans in place including a ban on woodcutting.
“With skyrocketing electricity prices, many people in regional Victoria rely on wood heating to stay warm over winter. However, under the Allan Labor government, it appears as though the areas open for firewood collection get smaller and smaller each year. Last year the area felled for firewood collection in Bendigo was cleared out on the opening day.”
Ms Broad said the response she received from the Minister for the Environment was not encouraging.
“The Minister said there are two firewood collection seasons each year – autumn season which runs from March 1 to June 30, and spring season which runs from September 1 to November 30. He said 15 firewood collection areas had been opened across the Loddon Mallee region on March 1, with another three planned, but they could close early if no more wood was available.
“The Minister said there were fewer Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) resources available to provide firewood in the Loddon Mallee Region this season as they had been deployed to the Grampians region fires. In addition, he said some DEECA staff were undertaking industrial action which included a ban on felling trees for firewood.
“The Minister said residents may need to travel to collection areas away from their local area. However, collection areas in central and northern Victoria are restricted to residents of specific local councils.”
Ms Broad said this was frustrating and distressing to residents who rely on wood for heating.
“Labor can’t manage our firewood, and once again regional Victorians are paying the price.”
For local collection areas go to: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/firewood-collection-in-your-region.
For financial assistance for people on low incomes who buy firewood: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/energy-concession-and-support.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
