Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell urged the Victorian Government to expand natural gas access to residents and businesses in Nathalia and Barmah.
She said all households in Barmah and "many" across Nathalia were currently relying on firewood collection as the primary source of heating for their homes because they didn't have access to natural gas.
“The Labor government has imposed this firewood collection ban on the Barmahand Nathalia communities, where many residents are without access to natural gas to heattheir homes,” she said.
Ms Lovell said it had left some residents travelling as far as an hour and a half to gather wood.
“As (Energy, Environment and Climate Change minister Lily D'Ambrosio) is responsible for banning firewood collection in the Barmah region, I call on her in her role of energy minister to ensure the natural gas network is expanded and available to all Barmah and Nathalia residents who want it,” she said.
State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed said many people in the Barmah, Nathalia and Picola communities relied "entirely" on firewood gathered during collection season to heat their homes, and called on the reintroduction of a permit system to support vulnerable families in the region.
“Many are on low incomes and pensions and do not have the capacity to switch to the split systems or solar, despite the rebates that may be offered,” she said.
“It seems very harsh to impose a change like this at a time like this.”
During parliamentary question time last month, Ms D'Ambrosio said she was "absolutely committed" to supporting vulnerable residents to access necessary heating in the coming winter.
“That is why, in the shorter term, we are making available support services in terms of energy payment bonuses for families,” she said.
“There is a lot more to be done, and I am absolutely very prepared to sit down with the member for Shepparton to work through alternative options to help her community.”
Ms D'Ambrosio was approached for comment.
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