Lakes Entrance resident Rosemary Kavardis has expressed frustration over government regulations that prevent locals from collecting wood from public areas, describing the
rules as out of touch with regional life.
A long-time resident and avid reader of local newspapers, Ms Kavardis said that in the past, people commonly gathered firewood from the bush and roadside, but current rules now prohibit collecting from piles left by government agencies, such as those near Nowa Nowa. She acknowledged the seasonal restrictions and the risk of fines, but questioned why regulators in capital cities often make rules without input from the communities they affect.
“It’s a real pity that government decisions aren’t guided by local knowledge and understanding,” Ms Kavardis said, highlighting her concerns about what she sees as waste and impracticality in current forestry regulations.
