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

Residents are protesting against a ban on collecting firewood in the Murray Valley and Murrumbidgee Valley national parks. (ABC News: Nicola Ceccato) The firewood program will end on October 30. (ABC News: Nicola Ceccato) 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." Jane Mathers says she relies heavily on firewood. (ABC News: Nicola Ceccato) 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.  A decline in fallen timber on the forest floor is behind the decision to end the firewood program. (ABC News: Nicola Ceccato) 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." Fallen timber provides shelter for a range of native Australian wildlife. (ABC News: Nicola Ceccato) 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.