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Firewood Cutters Must Have Access: IngramThe Independent member for Gippsland East Craig Ingram has again called on the state government to address the changes in forest management which is locking out commercial fire By Craig Ingram - 27th March 2007 - Back to News wood harvesters from the state forest.
"I have raised this issue with the state government on numerous occasions and it is extremely disappointing that it has not been addressed," Mr Ingram said.
The Minister for Environment, John Thwaites, stated in a response to me on the firewood licences dated January 17, 2006 that ‘discussions are currently being held to resolve the issues expeditiously and to the satisfaction of both parties’
"Fourteen months later these issues are still not resolved.
"I have had continued representation from a number of local commercial firewood cutters and these operators are extremely disappointed that this issue has not been resolved by government.
"These firewood harvesters are extracting a resource which would otherwise be burned during slash burns post-VicForests timber operations
"If not overturned, this decision will cost these people their livelihoods and make it very difficult for residents in Gippsland and other regions across the state to access firewood.
"Wood fires are the only form of affordable heating in most areas of Gippsland who still do not have access to natural gas.
"I have called on the Minister to ensure that the dispute surrounding the future management of commercial firewood contractors is promptly resolved and that commercial firewood cutters continue to have access to this important resource," Mr Ingram concluded.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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