The Nationals are calling for greater access to firewood gathering on public land in Victoria as commercial supplies dry up and prices skyrocket following the State Government’s fast-tracked closure of the native timber industry. Source: Timberbiz
East Gippsland wood yard owners Malcolm and Pam Beveridge have told The Weekly Times they have begun shedding staff as supplies dry up due to VicForests and other forestry operations ceasing.
Supply chain and administration workers will be made redundant by the end of the month as the impact of the earlier than expected timber industry shutdown begins to bite.
Mr Beveridge said there was more pain coming for customers, with prices going up significantly as supplies went down.
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Public Land Use and The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath said The Nationals want to see more public land available for firewood collection and the season extended to address future supply shortages.
“Many Victorians living in regional and peri-urban areas rely on solid fuel heating as their primary source for warming their homes.
“The rising cost of living in Victoria means gas and electricity is unaffordable for many households and solid fuel heaters help to keep household costs down.
“Labor’s closure of the native timber industry has also strangled the commercial firewood industry therefore it’s imperative that Victorians have increased opportunity gather firewood.”
Firewood gathering is restricted to two seasons. Autumn season 1 March to 30 June and Spring Season from 1 September to 30 November.
Maps of collection areas are published of Forest Fire Management’s website annually and are governed by rules under the Forests (Domestic Firewood) Regulations 2022 and Crown Land (Reserves) (Domestic Firewood) Regulations 2022.
The State Government is currently conducting a review into firewood collection on public land in Victoria.
Ms Bath said the impact of dwindling commercial firewood supplies will not be felt until next winter.
“Legal firewood collection has a positive impact of our state forests, it supports the health of the ecosystem by removing dead undergrowth and reducing fuel loads, albeit on a small scale,” she said.
“We have seen Labor dramatically restrict firewood collection access in Central Victoria to certain local government areas – this approach must not be extended into eastern or western Victoria.
“The Nationals are calling on Labor to increase the number of firewood collection areas and better maintain access tracks on public land to meet the community’s need for the fuel source.”
