Northern Victoria Region
Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (12:40): (1400) My question is to the Minister for Environment. A local resident made enquiries about the domestic firewood collection in the Bendigo area that is due to start on 1 March. He has been advised that there will be no wood available to collect, as the staff responsible for firewood collection areas have work bans in place and part of the bans is no woodcutting. With skyrocketing electricity prices, many people in regional Victoria rely on wood heating to stay warm over winter. However, under the Allan Labor government, it appears the areas open for firewood collection get smaller and smaller each year. Last year the area felled for firewood collection in Bendigo was cleared out on the opening day. Can the minister please confirm that firewood will be available for collection in designated areas when the season opens on Saturday 1 March?