In a misuse of its monopoly market power the government forestry agency is requiring firewood merchants accept termite-prone karri as part of its deliveries.
Whereas jarrah is considered premium firewood, the government only makes mixed-load deliveries, including karri and marri.
Termites regard karri as ice cream and will quickly infest any karri wood in contact with the ground. If firewood is stored near housing, the establishment of termite colonies threatens any timber within the building.
The state’s Sustainable Forest Industries Roundtable says the government forestry agency controls the lion’s share of the timber supplied in the state, and it can dictate terms to its customers.
For the first time customers are being required to accept karri as firewood, an arrangement that could breach the Trade Practices Act.
John Clarke, a consultant who represents many firewood customers, expressed his exasperation: ” Forcing people to accept karri is the height of irresponsibility. The Minister, who is also the Minister looking after biosecurity, should be aware of the dangers of termites.”
Firewood merchants, who were starved of supplies after the logging ban was introduced, are now being bullied by an all-powerful monopoly.”
He said it was not as though there was a timber shortage: ” There are vast stockpiles of jarrah in mine sites and throughout the southwest, yet the FPC are insisting that karri is used as firewood.”
The SFIR calls on the Minister to bring its forest operations into line and “cease this shameful and irresponsible behaviour.”