The State Government has been asked what it has done to address the pending firewood supply shortage this winter.
Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, has accused Environment Minister, Steve Dimopoulos of doing nothing, despite being warned 12 months ago of the predicament.
“There are a range of issues that need to be addressed as a result of the cessation of the timber industry, which was the major supplier of domestic firewood,” Mr Bull said.
“We barely had enough to get through last winter and commercial suppliers are now importing it from interstate, if they can get it, and the price has sky-rocketed to be unaffordable to low-income households.
“The recently opened public collection areas contain nowhere near enough wood to meet demand, but even so, there are many who cannot collect their own including the disabled, frail and elderly.
“They have relied on commercial suppliers who now can no longer get it off the timber industry.
When they can access it interstate, the increased haulage costs have seen prices skyrocket to unaffordable levels,” he said.
“When I raised this over 12 months ago, the Minister’s office simply said collection seasons will continue for the public. It is a Minister and a Government that has no idea about this issue and does not seek to understand.
“Sadly, it will likely result in high numbers of illegal collecting as families strive to keep warm.
“The one thing we should never be short of in Victoria is firewood, especially in East Gippsland, but this Government has managed to achieve it.
“With winter only months away, I have asked the Minister to open up more public collection areas and make resource available to commercial operators in this state.
“Because they have done nothing, even timber cut now will be too green for this winter, but they can put some plans in place for next year.
“I encourage locals to think ahead and stockpile as much as they can,” he said.
