Residents say they 'can't live without' firewood ahead of ban

Residents in southern NSW who rely on firewood to heat their homes have banded together to protest against the end of a firewood permit program in two national parks.

The Riverina Domestic Firewood Program will end permanently in Murray Valley and Murrumbidgee Valley national parks when the collection season closes on October 30.

The program was introduced in 2010, after the parks were gazetted, so locals could still collect firewood for heating in a region with little access to natural gas.

On Friday, more than 100 people gathered in Deniliquin, calling on the state government to reverse the decision. 

Jane Mathers, who lives on a property outside Tocumwal, relies heavily on firewood from the Murray Valley National Park to heat her home and cook food. 

"I couldn't live without it, especially in the winter," she said. 

"We can't afford the electricity; we are pensioners."

Mrs Mathers said, in addition to using firewood, each quarter her electricity cost about $1,000.

She said not having access to firewood would be a big blow to her husband and her.

"We can't afford to live on anything less than what we've got now," she said. 

Mathoura resident Murray Dravitziki installed a fireplace two years ago.

"To buy the fireplace and have it installed was about $3,500," he said. 

"Now we are just sort of up in the air as to where we go from here."

The ABC understands there are no plans in place to reintroduce firewood collection in the two national parks following this season. 

Decline in timber 

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said the collection program was ending due to the quality and quantity of wood available. 

In a statement to the ABC, an NPWS spokesperson said the program was placing significant pressure on the health and survival of native plants and animals.

"Fallen timber is a critical part of healthy forest ecosystems," the spokesperson said.

"It provides shelter, nesting sites, food sources and protection for a wide range of native Australian wildlife."

The community can still source local firewood from state forests under the management of the Forestry Corporation of NSW and commercial operators. 

Independent Member for Murray Helen Dalton, who organised the rally, is critical of the state government's decision. 

"It's all very well and good for people to make decisions in Sydney but they are not the ones at the coalface," she said. 

"Sydney and Canberra are telling us what to do and making our communities unliveable."

Ms Dalton hopes a petition to reverse the decision will receive 10,000 signatures, so it can be tabled and debated in state parliament.

Fire risk concerns 

Louise Burge lives just outside of Deniliquin, near the Murray Valley National Park. 

She said the red gum forest's fire risk was terrifying. 

"Our biggest fear is the build-up of debris on the forest floor. 

"Red gums have a lot of tree branch fall and that is what actually gets collected for firewood." 

Edward River Council Mayor Ashley Hall said the decision could lead to catastrophic issues if there were fires in the future. 

"I wouldn’t like to see the state government see that on their watch when these decisions are being made with zero consultation," he said. 

"I think they need to cease this decision, come back to the community and have real good discussions with people on the ground." 

The ABC contacted the office of the NSW Minister for Environment Penny Sharpe for comment but was directed to the NPWS instead.

The Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW have also been approached for comment.