Ingram Makes Strong Submission On A Burning Issue

Firewood collecting is not only an economic source of fuel

By Craig Ingram - 9th July 2002 - Back to News

The Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has made a strong submission on behalf of Gippsland East residents following the release of the State Government’s Firewood Strategy Discussion Paper

"Few issues have caused such a widespread and unfavourable reaction in Gippsland East as the release of this paper," Mr Ingram said.

"No doubt, the major reason for this is because 80% of the electorate is public land, which is almost entirely tree-covered and therefore there is an abundance of wood.

"Many people have called into my electorate office to express their concern and a substantial number do not have the confidence to make submissions on their own behalf. The detail in the discussion paper appears to be designed to intimidate the average firewood user.

"For many people, firewood collecting is not only an economic source of fuel, it also is a healthy family day out with a picnic in the bush and an education of their children in an appreciation of nature.

"My own family and I enjoyed a day out on Sunday cutting firewood, although I did have some difficulty tracking down a place to purchase the firewood licence from. This was because the DNRE website that listed the places of purchase hadn’t been updated for three years.

"This is another example of how the DNRE is out of touch with regional areas and adds further to my argument that is should be decentralised.

"Decisions should be made by those who would be aware of the actual impact on the ground, rather than city-based policy being forced upon rural areas.

"For country people, the alternatives of electric power or LPG are becoming increasingly expensive. The "ring fencing" of the costs of transmission and distribution of electricity that are being imposed on country people will add considerably to the cost of electric power in the future, increasing the interest in the use of firewood for heating.

"Many of the users are pensioners who receive no additional pension because they live in the country.

"There is a growing feeling that there is discrimination against Victorians who live outside the capital city because they are expected to carry the costs of living in the country but are rapidly losing any advantages there may be.

"This discussion paper is another example of the DNRE attempting to trespass on the people’s traditional activities."

Mr Ingram said the submission would be posted on his website for easy viewing. Copies are also available on request from his electorate office.

Source: http://east.gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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