The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) maintains regional communities will continue to have access to firewood through Forestry Corporation of NSW managed forests and commercial operators once national park collection ceases.
A NPWS spokesperson also said they would “provide additional firewood later this month from the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) program once weather conditions allow”.
However, for many locals these alternatives are not viable solutions.
Deniliquin resident and instigator of the petition circulating to overturn the government’s decision, Judy Theobold, highlighted the expenses required behind the governments alternatives.
“We have to travel 100km to get to Koondrook, and with fuel the way it is that would more than double the price required to collect wood,” she said.
“It’s the same for commercial firewood, which is significantly more expensive than a $30 permit.”
NPWS says the closure of the Riverina Domestic Firewood Collection Program in both the Murray Valley and Murrumbidgee Valley National Parks is due to the declining supplies of fallen timber, which it says is “increasingly important habitat for native wildlife”.
“Species including squirrel gliders, barking owls and superb parrots rely on these precious red gum ecosystems, and ending the program will give these forests and the wildlife they support a chance to survive for generations to come,” the department said.
To ease the transition, NPWS has extended the 2026 collection season until October 30 and increased the household limit from six to eight tonnes.
Responding to the community reactions to date, the NPWS spokesperson said maintenance of the nationals parks would continue to mitigate fire risks.
“National Parks and Wildlife Services has a range of measures to manage bushfire risks in parks including hazard reduction burns, fire preparedness activities and coordinates bushfire responses with partner agencies,” it said.
The Pastoral Times understands that the petition needs 10,000 signatures to be formally debated in Parliament, but at 500 signatures the responsible minister - in this case Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe - must consider the petition and provide a response to the parliamentary clerk.
When the Pastoral Times last sought an update, the number of signatories was at 450 with some petition sheets yet to be collected.
Residents can continue contributing to the petition after the 500 signatures is reached.
