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Victoria’s State Government has been asked what it has done to address the pending firewood supply shortage this winter. Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has accused Environment Minister, Steve Dimopoulos of doing nothing, despite being warned 12 months ago of the predicament. Source: Timberbiz “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. “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.

The Australian Forest Products Association has launched the next stages of its 2025 Federal Election Campaign following the release of its comprehensive Australian Timber – Australia’s Future Election Policy Platform in February. Source: Timberbiz “The AFPA team has been busy promoting our Platform, which includes key policy and funding requests, to policy and decision makers across all sides of federal politics over the past few weeks,’’ AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam said. ‘’It’s now time to launch the next stages of our campaign to support our Platform,” Ms Hallam said. February’s launch was aimed at illustrating the role Australian timber can play addressing the current housing crisis and supplying our nation’s future housing needs, the importance of securing the future of Australian grown and recycled timber and woodfibre to enhance our sovereign capability and promoting healthy and sustainable native and plantation forestry to provide Australians with the timber they need and fight climate change. This week’s launch included: forestfacts.com.au – a new website dedicated to countering the disinformation being irresponsibly spread about the forestry sector. New Billboards to support the campaign in key forestry battleground electorates, including in Tasmania. “There is a huge amount of disinformation being spread by activists about Australia’s sustainable and world leading forestry sector,’’ Ms Hallam said. “The idea behind forestfacts.com.au is that people interested in the truth about how Australian forestry operates can have somewhere to go to have myths dispelled and find further scientific information, as well as a basic overview of industry. “The Billboards running ahead of the Federal Election show the importance of the timber and forestry industry for homes. They have been placed in strategic locations to maximise public and political awareness of the importance of the full supply chain of Australia’s forestry sector. “AFPA will continue to execute our Federal Election campaign ahead of polling day and work to get all sides of federal politics committed to our Platform.”