Roadside clearing works in preparation for fuel reduction burns have created huge amounts of timber that could assist with the region’s firewood shortages, and Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has called for it to be made available closer to the communities that need it before winter hits.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had firewood collection maps distributed that are, in most cases, the same areas as last year, where there is simply no wood available, and we’ve had these works done that could assist in meeting the shortages.”
Mr Bull has called on the Department to implement two initiatives before winter arrives:
– Open new public firewood collection areas that are much larger than those presently on offer and which hold a good supply of wood; and
– Transport the firewood created from the pre-burn clearing work closer to the communities that require it.
“As part of the works, experienced crews engaged through the Forest Fire Management program have felled countless trees, and while some of it has been made available for collection, there are two problems,” Mr Bull said.
“The first is that large quantities are being removed by people who are clearly then on-selling it online, and secondly, it is in many cases a long way from the communities that need it now. For instance, the firewood collection areas around Lakes Entrance have no timber in them at all.
“I am a strong supporter of the fuel reduction burn program and we need to do more to protect our communities, but we should be maximising this timber to meet local need – and that is not being done at present.
“From the fuel reduction preparation works, we have more firewood than these small communities can possibly use this winter, but it’s being taken by those who are illegally selling it, and it is too far away from the population centres.
“Residents in towns like Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale and Nowa Nowa are being directed to official firewood collection areas where there is little to no wood available.”
Mr Bull said many of the firewood collection maps released by Forest Fire Management for the Lakes Entrance region had been published repeatedly for several years.
“What was once there has been well and truly taken,” he said.
“Locals are telling me they are travelling long distances, spending money on fuel and giving up their time, only to arrive and find there is nothing to collect.
“At a time when households are battling a cost-of-living crisis and a fuel shortage, directing people to areas knowing there is no firewood available is just cruel.”
Mr Bull said the Minister was effectively sending residents on a “wild goose chase”.
“Minister Dimopoulos continues to tell me Victoria does not have an infinite supply of firewood, which is a load of rubbish,” Mr Bull said.
“We have plenty, but his restrictive rules do not allow it to be collected legally. The Minister has a solution to a problem staring him in the face; it just needs some coordination and organisation.
“This timber could easily be transported to central collection points closer to larger communities, with some oversight to ensure it is going to the right people. He could also open up more collection areas with the stroke of a pen.
“Should we win government in November, there will be some big changes coming to firewood collection in this state and for East Gippsland residents,” he said.
