A COLD chill now book-ending most days in the Limestone Coast and with COVID-19-related travel restrictions keeping people at home, business is booming for firewood suppliers.
Many Limestone Coast residents have turned to the warmth of a wood fire to combat the icy air experienced most mornings and evenings and it is fuelling a major spike in business for Woodbine Firewood’s owner Malcolm Henke.
The increase in demand is unlikely to trail off for many weeks given border restrictions will prevent residents from heading to warmer climates.
“It has been very busy, not only because of the colder months, but also because of the coronavirus,” Mr Henke said.
“People have been in self-isolation and they cannot go away for winter as they normally would, so they are at home more and are wanting warm houses and offices.”
Running a huge operation processing plantation timber into firewood, Mr Henke delivers across the Green Triangle region while also wholesaling to major cities.
“There’s been a spike at the moment, they have found the same over in the cities, there has definitely been an increase in demand,” he said.
“We have found that people are using the stimulus in welfare payments to buy wood and keep themselves warm.”
He said his business was focused on keeping the community warm at an affordable price throughout this difficult period.
“We all love what we do and we cannot stand people going cold and we cannot stand them being robbed either,” he said.
“We’re delivering a quality product at a reasonable price and all of our customers seem to be surprised by the quantity – they see it as value for money.”
Delivering truckloads of wood to over 400 customers, Mr Henke said there had been challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Obviously this year there have been a couple of challenges in relation to delivering wood and making sure it is non-contact and conducting payment through bank transfers.
“Other than that, we have been pretty lucky, it has not impacted us too much.”
The cooling Limestone Coast climate has also triggered a warning to the region’s households to ensure all precautions are taken when using heating equipment.
Metropolitan Fire Service community engagement officer Phil Evans said all heating equipment should be checked before each use.
“Gas or oil heaters, fireplaces, chimneys and flues should be serviced and cleaned regularly,” he said.
He recommended key safety tips that could save lives and prevent property loss.
“Keep any combustible items such as clothes, bedding, curtains or furniture well clear of heaters and fires – with ideally at least two-metres clearance,” Mr Evans said.
“Avoid leaving heaters running for extended periods of time as radiant heat may scorch flammable items.”
Mr Evans also recommended children and pets were supervised when heaters and fires are in use.
