State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has renewed calls for the Andrews Government to open more firewood collection points for residents of Moira Shire.
In a constituency question to Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt, Ms Lovell said the current situation, which forced residents of the shire to travel to Wilkinson Track near Warrenbayne to collect their firewood, significantly disadvantaged the community.
“With the firewood collection season under way, it is ridiculous that the state government is forcing Moira Shire residents to drive to a collection point just west of Warrenbayne, a three-and-a-half-hour round trip, to access firewood to heat their homes,” she said.
Ms Lovell said the current rules discriminated against Moira Shire residents and called on Ms Stitt to reverse the policy and allow the residents to collect firewood from their own local government area.
“Not surprisingly my office has been inundated with calls from residents wanting to access the abundance of firewood from regional parks within the Moira LGA and I call on the minister to allow them to do so,” Ms Lovell said.
A spokesperson for the Victorian Government said restrictions were put in place for a number of reasons, including availability of firewood, community safety and to protect sites of cultural and environmental significance.
The spokesperson went on to say the government had in place measures for people struggling with their energy needs.
“Energy support and concessions are available for people on low incomes who purchase firewood or need assistance with their energy costs,” the spokesperson said.
“These support options are alleviating cost-of-living pressures for Victorians, while also helping Victoria meet its objective of delivering a cleaner, cheaper and stronger energy system for all.”