Anger over firewood collection plan
Posted
Conservationists are angry with State Government plans to allow firewood collection in two Victorian national parks.
When the former Labor government set up the Barmah and Gunbower National Parks two years ago, it agreed to allow firewood collection in certain parts of the parks until the end of June this year.
The Coalition Government says extensive flooding in the past 12 months made it difficult for residents to get into those areas, so it is keen to extend the deadline.
Matt Ruchel from the Victorian National Parks Association says that will harm wildlife in the region.
"Fallen timber and logs are particularly important for a range of animals such as the tree goanna and ground-dwelling birds," he said.
"We are calling on Ted Baillieu to abandon those changes, and rule out any further amendments to legislation relating to national parks."
The Government says it is committed to providing a sustainable firewood supply for the community while balancing environmental impacts.
Topics: state-parliament, environmental-impact, environmental-management, national-parks, barmah-3639, gunbower-3566
