Summer’s bushfires destroy wood supply for local businesses

Firewood businesses have expressed concerns for the future of their trade after the summer’s bushfires destroyed much of their supply.

Mark Brown, from Firewood To U, whose stockpile is slowy shrinking after his supply from Ta Ann mill stopped. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

FIREWOOD traders are saying their busiest season is proving even more difficult this year, as the summer’s bushfires in the Huon Valley burnt much of their supply.

Mark Brown said his business Firewood To U has been set back $600,000 and has had to let go of four employees after its supply was depleted when the Ta Ann veneer mill at Lonnavale was badly damaged by the fires.

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“At the moment the business is going well selling wise, because we’ve had stock from last year,” Mr Brown said.

“But the thing is that we need more. It means we won’t have any stock next year to supply to the customers, which is huge.”

He said about half of his customers were elderly people who would have to find alternative sources of heating.

Bushfire damage at the Ta Ann mill. Picture: SUPPLIED

Firewood To U is not the only business affected by this year’s bushfires.

Bill Loughland, of Reliable Woodman in Campania, said he has had to begin sourcing wood from private land himself. He said his suppliers were too overrun with work due to the demand after the bushfires.

Mr Loughland said usually at this time of year he would sell about three loads a day, but he is currently struggling to sell four a week.

“It has put stress on the total industry for supply of sustainable firewood,” he said.

He said his turnover was about one-third of what it would usually be and the lack of supply meant he might need to raise his prices by 50 per cent.

“A lot of people are going to get forced out of buying wood, they’ll have to find alternatives,” he said.

The National Measurement Institute advised that both traders and consumers should be aware of the trade measurement laws regulating the wholesale and retail sale of firewood.

The Firewood Association of Australia advised that if you don’t see your wood being weighed, ask for a written statement of the weight. The best burning wood in Tasmania is said to be brown peppermint.