State Member for Northern Victoria Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell has raised concerns over the lack of firewood collection points in the state’s north.
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Mrs Tyrrell said the Victorian Government had failed to establish additional collection points in many local government areas in her electorate.
“Like previous years, residents of Moira, Gannawarra and Mildura ... have no firewood collection points in their respective shires,” Mrs Tyrrell said.
“People are forced to drive many hours to get firewood to heat their homes.
“For residents in Barmah for example, they face a three-hour round trip to a collection point south of Warrenbayne, which is ridiculous considering the perfectly good wood laying at their doorsteps in the Barmah Forest.”
A map of firewood collection areas on Forest Fire Management Victoria's website shows a lack of points locally as of March 17. Image: State of Victoria (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action).
In September last year, flood-affected wood within the Barmah National Park was made available to residents following community backlash.
At the time, Mrs Tyrrell and State Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh supported making the wood available for collection due to concerns for the elderly, pensioners and cost-of-living pressures.
The wood was due to be burned as a strategic fuel break by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), but was instead relocated to a local collection area.
On Saturday, March 1, DEECA released the collection point locations for the autumn firewood season.
A Victorian Government spokesperson said collection locations were based on supply and seasonal conditions.
“Many Victorians value the ability to collect free firewood for personal use from our state forests, especially at times of increased cost-of-living pressures,” they said.
“While firewood is free to collect from nominated locations during collection periods, supply is not unlimited. This means firewood needs to be managed responsibly.”
The opening of a designated firewood collection area in Gunbower State Forest has been delayed until Tuesday, April 1 due to the risk of fire.
Residents from Campaspe and Gannawarra Shire Council will be able to collect red gum firewood from the area once opened until June 30.
Mrs Tyrrell has called on Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos to establish more firewood collection points throughout her electorate.
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