NSW GOVERNMENT ACTION NEEDED ON FIREWOOD |
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."
"Sydneys 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
Australias 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