In this case the Fauna and Flora Research Collective (FFRC) is seeking orders to protect the minimum area of old-growth forest required by law across East Gippsland. It also seeks to stop logging planned at over thirty areas of intact old-growth forests in East Gippsland that have never been logged.
This case will determine the future of some of Australia’s precious remaining old-growth forests.
Background
Environmental Justice Australia (EJA), acting on behalf of the FFRC, commenced urgent legal proceedings in the Victorian Supreme Court in late October 2017 after finding out that VicForests had built a logging road and pegged out a coupe, ready to start clearing trees in the Kuark forest.
In November last year, EJA and the FFRC were successful in gaining a temporary injunction to prevent VicForests from logging until a judgment is made in the case. The case has now expanded to include over thirty areas of old-growth forest earmarked for logging in East Gippsland.
The case alleges that the Environment Department has not protected the minimum area of old-growth forest required by law, and that until it does, logging in these areas of old-growth forest is unlawful and must not go ahead.
When this case was before the court in late October the Victorian Environment Department’s position in court was that it has no obligations to protect old-growth forest.
Media contact: Livia Cullen, Communications Director EJA, 0411 108 239
When: 10.30am, Monday 10 December 2018, the trial will run for 5-7 days
Where: Court 6, William Cooper Justice Centre, Supreme Court, Third Floor 223 William Street, Melbourne
Conservationists win court battle to stop clearing of old-growth Victorian forest, Guardian, 1/11/17
Supreme Court shuts down Andrews government plan to log untouched forest, The Age, 1/11/17