Tuesday, 16 May 2023

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (13:27): (136) My question is for the Minister for Environment. With skyrocketing power prices and winter on the way, many of my constituents in the north who primarily use woodfired heaters have no access to local fuel-laden state park areas, and they are being forced to pay up to $160 per metre for wood. As access is based on area code, some local areas are covered. However, our biggest regional communities in Yarrawonga, Shepparton, Echuca, Swan Hill and Mildura are without any options. Can the minister open more areas for wood collection?

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (13:27): I thank Mrs Tyrrell for her question. It is an important issue. I know that there are many Victorians, including in regional Victoria, who rely on firewood for heating. This is a matter that is obviously a limited, finite resource, so it is important that it is regulated appropriately. In relation to the specific parts of the state that you have cited in your question, I would be more than happy to take that aspect of your question on notice and see what detail I can provide to you via my department. But it is important that this resource is managed appropriately. We have a lot of regulation by the conservation regulator that is required because of some of the illegal activity that can occur throughout our public land estate. I am not for a moment suggesting that your question is about any of those activities, but we have had occasion to need to enforce the law in respect to some activities around firewood. But, Mrs Tyrrell, I am very happy to see what additional info I can get you on some of those parts of the state that you nominated in your question.

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (13:29): Can the minister remove the postcode requirement for collection within these areas?

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (13:29): I thank Mrs Tyrrell for her supplementary question. These matters are the subject of legislative requirements and regulations, so it is not really appropriate for me to change those arrangements as minister. It is very important that we manage firewood in a sustainable way across the state, understanding of course that, like every natural resource, it is not an unlimited resource.