NSW GOVERNMENT ACTION NEEDED ON FIREWOOD National Parks Association of NSW

24 May 2001

On the eve of a two-day National Firewood Conference tomorrow in Armidale, the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) is calling for NSW Government leadership to address the major impacts caused by firewood use.

"Firewood burning is a serious problem that needs to be urgently addressed", said NPA Executive Officer, Andrew Cox.

"Australians take millions of tonnes of wood from habitats of threatened animals, cart it hundreds of miles to burn, making many people sick, and some even die."

"About half of NSW woodland reptiles are declining due to firewood collecting. Many woodland birds and mammals, now suffering regional extinctions, are dependent on hollows, favoured by firewood collectors," said Mr Cox.

Dr Barry Traill, Conference keynote speaker and ecologist with The Wilderness Society said, "NSW uses about 1.5M tonnes of firewood each year. This far exceeds the combined sawlog and woodchip volumes taken from NSW forests. Most of the firewood comes from woodlands west of the Great Divide."

"Sydney’s firewood footprint covers at least 800 km to the north, south and west. Semi-trailer loads of box, ironbark and red-gum arrive in Sydney during winter sourced from Queensland land clearing, the Pilliga, Condoblin and the Riverina."

Mr Cox, said, "NSW needs to develop its own firewood strategy."

"Already the ACT Government has a Firewood Strategy that was introduced with strong community and industry support. It aims to reduce environmental harm both to woodlands and human health and provides consumers with greater information about selecting wood and burning it more efficiently."

"ANZECC (Australia and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council – State and National government Environment Ministers) is considering adopting a National Approach to Firewood Collection and Use in Australia."

"However, the NSW Government is yet to commit the resources and leadership necessary to achieve the solutions needed."

"Everybody recognises that firewood use is a serious problem. But if its left to individual government agencies to implement the measures, then success is unlikely."

"We want Bob Carr to get industry, government departments and conservation representatives together, provide direction, and actively seek solutions", said Mr Cox.

"Armidale, where the Conference will be held over the next two days, has clean air in summer, but some of the Australia’s worst air in winter. This is entirely due to wood smoke. Other country towns have similar problems."

"NPA is keen to see the rapid development of alternatives to using firewood from native woodland. This includes gas heating, the use of existing plantations, the establishment of new firewood plantations, and diverting waste timber headed for landfill."

"This must be supported by:

NPA is holding a National Conference "Firewood: A burning Issue for the Twenty-first Century" in Armidale on 25 and 26 May.

Contact: Andrew Cox 9299 0000 or 0438 588 040

Dr Barry Traill 0427 261 885


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