The future of firewood collection is under threat, the Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said today.
Ms Broad told Parliament she was very concerned that the amount of available firewood would be drastically reduced following the Labor State Government’s decision to shut down the native timber industry and commercial firewood licences finishing on December 31, 2023.
Ms Broad asked the Minister for Environment to advise what steps the Government is taking to ensure locals can continue to collect firewood.
“The Government has no plan for the delivery of firewood beyond 1 January 2024,” Ms Broad said.
The Victorian Forest Fire Management website states: ‘The Victorian Government is undertaking a review into the management of firewood collection in public forests for domestic purposes.’
“This review must guarantee Victorian household’s access to free firewood in Victoria, with the view to expand availability when commercial supplies dry up,” Ms Broad said.
“Free firewood zones for domestic collection are already under significant pressure.
“I have been contacted by a constituent who was very frustrated to find that the Wellsford-Alexander Road coupe near Bendigo was closed to collection due to a single noise complaint,” Ms Broad told Parliament.
“He contacted the Department several times and was told that firewood could not be collected – he would have to buy it from a merchant or go to a forest with a designated collection area.
“Other areas have quickly been cleared out, and the amount of available firewood will be drastically reduced after the government’s decision to close the native timber industry. VicForests supplies a large amount of commercial firewood available for purchase, but now these supplies are at risk.
All licences for commercial firewood licences finish on December 31, 2023 and small speciality licences finish on June 30, 2024. The CSIRO estimates that this closure will see a reduction in supply of around 50,000 tonnes.
“As energy costs continue to rise under this government, more and more people depend on firewood to keep warm over winter, and the Government needs to take action to secure future supplies.
For your nearest firewood collection points go to: https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/find-a-firewood-collection-area
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
