AN initial ban on firewood collection that forced Moira residents to travel a nearly 3-hour round trip to the nearest designated collection point near Rushworth is back in the spotlight. Additional restrictions implemented in March 2022 prevented Moira residents from using the Rushworth collection point, instead requiring them to travel even further to Wilkinsons Track near Warrenbayne to access their firewood.
Wendy Lovell, the Liberal Member for Northern Victoria, is advocating for the State Government to open up more firewood collection points. Ms Lovells says that the current rules regarding firewood collection have significantly impacted the residents who traditionally rely on wood as an energy source for their homes.
“With the firewood collection season underway, it is ridiculous that the State Government is forcing Moira Shire residents to drive to a collection point just west of Warrenbayne, a 3½ hour round trip, to access firewood to heat their homes,” Ms Lovell stated.
“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 asserts that these rules discriminate against Moira Shire residents and urges the Environment Minister, Ingrid Stitt, to reverse the policy and allow them to collect firewood from regional parks within the Moira LGA (Local Government Area).
