The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has urged the Allan Labor Government to guarantee firewood will be available for collection when the season opens this Saturday, March 1.
Ms Broad told Parliament she had been contacted by a resident who feared there would be no firewood available due to work bans in central Victoria.
“A local resident made enquiries about the domestic firewood collection in the Bendigo area that is due to start on 1 March. He has been advised that there will be no wood available to collect, as the staff responsible for firewood collection areas have work bans in place and part of the bans is ‘no woodcutting’.
Ms Broad said the lack of adequate firewood was distressing to residents who rely on it in the cooler months.
“With skyrocketing electricity prices, many people in regional Victoria rely on wood heating to stay warm over winter,” Ms Broad said.
“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 urged the Minister for the Environment to confirm that adequate firewood would be available for collection in designated areas when the season opens this Saturday, March 1.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764
