CRAIG INGRAM MP - MEMBER FOR GIPPSLAND EAST
Issued: Wednesday, 30th April 2008
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RELEASE FROM CRAIG INGRAM MP - MEMBER FOR GIPPSLAND EAST Issued: Wednesday, 30th April 2008 |
VicForests firewood ads are an insult to woodcutters: Ingram
Click to read: Firewood ad (.pdf file, I meg) and fax from Jeff Coster (.tif, 40k)
The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has condemned VicForests for its latest stunt in the ongoing Gippsland firewood supply saga.
VicForests has recently been running full page colour advertisements in local newspapers telling consumers that there is no problem with firewood supply”, Mr Ingram said.
“Many of my constituents, including pensioners, will be unable to get access to or afford firewood in the region this winter because of the policy failure of government.
“The State Government, Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and VicForests should be ashamed of their blatant propaganda attempting to cover up their own incompetence on resolving firewood supply and contracts.
These advertisements are promoting preferred firewood suppliers to consumers.
“This has conveniently overlooked that many of these and other firewood suppliers are facing major supply viability and financial problems directly as a result of their actions.”
Mr Ingram said a telephone number in the advertisement was incorrect and actually directed callers to a local DSE office.
“Another number is disconnected and many of the suppliers named in the advertisement have limited or no further access to firewood from state forests,” he said.
“VicForests’ / DSE’s handling of firewood supply and contractors has been appalling.
“Many small volume commercial firewood contactors have been put out of business due to the refusal and inability of the government to find a workable solution in the 18 months that I have been raising this issue.
“VicForests has recently sold 300 tonnes of firewood, well short of the 1.2 million tonnes* that is supplied in Victoria each year. One local contractor has normally supplied 300 tonnes of firewood per week and no longer has access to firewood from State Forests.
“VicForests needs to accept that the new system was flawed and that running feel-good, false advertisements without addressing the problem is just a spit in the face to hardworking small businesses who continue to be left out in the cold by the inaction of VicForests, DSE and the State Government,” Mr Ingram concluded.
* Source: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems report “Impact and Use of Firewood in Australia” November 2000
