The domestic firewood collection season opened this month, but just on two weeks in, there is no firewood to collect in the designated areas.
Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said government policy and nothing else had led to the firewood shortages.
“To give some idea of the lack of understanding, we have an Environment Minister who recently described firewood as a ‘limited resource’, which as locals know is just a load of rubbish,” Mr Bull said.
“In reality, we have near-record levels of bush fuel building up, which is deeply concerning as we head into another summer.
“You would think any Minister paying attention could see that we have both a firewood shortage and excessive forest debris, and realise that with sensible policy, one problem could help solve the other.
“However, we are left with near-record levels of forest debris and tightly policed collection areas that prevent community members from accessing the firewood they need.
“The Environment Minister, Steve Dimopoulos, amazingly did not envisage when the government closed down the native timber industry, our major supplier of firewood, it would create a shortage.
“Even worse, now that it has become apparent, he has failed to act. Some simple solutions like more collection areas, extended collection seasons and restoration of coupes to firewood contractors would help solve the issue.
“All the while, fuel continues to build up in the bush and the government has completed less than a quarter of the fuel reduction burns recommended by the Royal Commission to keep our communities safe.
“It can only end one way, the same way it did in 2019/20 – with a megafire, there is no other outcome. When it does, the Greens will shout ‘climate change’ from the rafters, but the real reason will be fuel loads as we have not heeded the advice of the Royal Commission or learnt our lessons from five years ago,” he said.
