Page 2992 - Week 07 - Thursday, 7 June 2012

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(8) Can the Minister provide (a) data on the number of complaints from consumers regarding the sale of firewood by year from 1999 to 2012, (b) data, by year, of the total quantities of hardwood, softwood and mixed loads sold by merchants who have agreed to the code of practice, from 1999-2012 and (c) a copy of the most recent pamphlet prepared by the ACT Government for retailers to provide to customers, detailing correct wood burning practices and encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour, including the date this pamphlet was last updated.

(9) Has the ACT Firewood Code of Practice been subject to any review since it was introduced; if so, (a) by whom and (b) what were the outcomes of the review.

(10) When was the ACT Solid Fuel Industry Working Party last convened.

Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) No. The ACT Firewood Code of Practice (COP) ceased in 2001 following amendments to the Environment Protection Act 1997 to introducing mandatory licensing.

(2) Yes. Currently there are currently 27 firewood merchants authorised to sell or supply firewood in the ACT.

(3) For the 2011 calendar year (the latest reporting year) 13 031 tonnes of firewood was sold by authorised firewood merchants.

(a), (b) (i)–(v) this information is not reported by firewood merchants under their annual report. .

Please note authorised merchants are not allowed to sell unseasoned timber.

(4) Information is available for locality (western NSW, South East NSW, North East NSW, Eastern Victoria, Western Victoria, ACT or other).

(b) and (c) this information is not available.

Please note that whilst this information is not reported by merchants it must be disclosed to the consumer under the conditions of their authorisation.

(5) Wood heaters are currently being considered at a national level through the Standing Council of Environment and Water through the National Plan for Clean Air.

(6) None. See response to question 1 above.

(7) No. The Code of Practice ceased in 2001.

(8) (a) Since the introduction of mandatory licensing in April 2001 the EPA is only aware of two complaints regarding the sale of firewood. Both of these related to the moisture content of the timber.

(b) Data provided to ESDD is not segregated by timber type.

(9) No, as the Code of Practice ceased in 2001 with the introduction of mandatory licensing.

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