Those are the words of state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, who is calling on relevant government authorities to ensure fire-damaged red gums and other trees removed during the bushfire clean-up are retained locally, processed locally and used as firewood to support fundraising for local CFA brigades.
“Fire-affected red gums are already being removed for safety reasons,” Ms Cleeland said.
“But that timber is a valuable resource, especially heading into winter, and it should not be carted out of our region.
“Firewood has become an incredibly valuable commodity.
“Instead of losing it to outside contractors or transport chains, it should stay in community hands and be used to raise funds for the CFA brigades who protected us.
“Our CFA volunteers put everything on the line during the Longwood bushfire.
“Keeping this timber local gives communities a practical way to support them through the quieter winter months, when fundraising opportunities are limited.”
Ms Cleeland said a locally led approach would also support local contractors, reduce transport costs and keep recovery dollars circulating within the region.
“This is about local recovery, local jobs and local support for the volunteers who keep our communities safe,” she said.
“It makes no sense for quality firewood to leave the district when it could be helping fund equipment, training and operational readiness for our brigades.”
Ms Cleeland said she has raised the proposal publicly and would continue advocating for recovery decisions that respected the resilience shown by the Longwood community and delivered tangible benefits back to those most affected.
“Our firefighters stepped up when it mattered most, now recovery efforts need to do the same by backing our communities and our CFA,” she said.
31°C