Media Releases 2015

VicForests is seeking comment from local community members on its proposed changes to the Timber Release Plan relating to timber harvesting operations in the North East, West Gippsland and East Gippsland regions. (More)

VicForests has clarified details regarding its operations in East Gippsland with CEO, Robert Green, saying that while operations in the region are currently not profitable, work is continuing to turn this situation around and across the board VicForests’ operations continue to make a profit. (More)

VicForests has confirmed there would be no area harvested simply for bio-energy production even if native timber wood waste is included under the Federal Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme. (More)

VicForests has announced it is postponing its upcoming Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) Controlled Wood audit.

VicForests’ CEO, Robert Green, said the audit will be deferred until later in the year.(More)

VicForests encourages all eligible community groups and services to make an application to this year’s Community Support Program, before its deadline at close of business Friday June 12th, 2015. (More)

Following discussions with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, VicForests has agreed not to undertake a regeneration burn as part of its plans to regrow an area harvested in Toolangi.

Concerns has been raised by community members with the Minister for Environment, Water and Climate Change, Lisa Neville, about plans to burn the site. (More)

VicForests has accepted the outcomes of an investigation by Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) into allegations that rainforest was harvested in East Gippsland. (More)

The Federal Minister for Enviroment has announced the Leadbeater's Possum is now listed as 'critically endangered'.

Robert Green, VicForests CEO, said the organisation hopes this announcement will maintain the necessary focus on actions designed to ensure the long term survival of the species. (More)

VicForests has signed a lease which will see its Healesville regional office relocate to Woori Yallock during the second half of 2015.

VicForests’ CEO, Robert Green, said the move will initially see approximately 30 staff from VicForests’ Healesville and Melbourne offices working out of Woori Yallock.(More)

VicForests has protected almost 10 000 hectares of habitat for threatened species and areas surrounding old growth forest over the last four years.

Figures released this week in VicForests’ 2013-14 Sustainability Report, show 7000 hectares were excluded from harvesting last financial year to protect old growth forest, and habitat for species such as the Leadbeater’s Possum and the Long-footed Potoroo.(More)

VicForests has successfully passed its certification surveillance audit under the revised nationally endorsed Australian Standard for Sustainable Forest Management (AFS).

AFS has been specifically developed for Australia’s forests and is internationally recognised by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) – the world’s largest forest certification scheme. (More)

VicForests would like to invite community members to attend Open House sessions across Eastern Victoria this month.

The Open House events, to be held in Healesville, Heyfield, Bairnsdale and Orbost, allow members of the community to drop in and discuss concerns and ask questions about VicForests’ organisation and operations at their convenience. (More)

VicForests will commence planned regeneration burns across Eastern Victoria in the coming weeks.

VicForests’ General Manager, Operations, Bradley Winthrop, said the burns are a vital step in regrowing previously harvested forest areas. (More)

VicForests has thanked the community for attending an information event held in the Strathbogie State forest last weekend.

VicForests’ Manager, Corporate Communications, David Walsh, said more than 50 people turned out to the event to discuss work planned to rehabilitate a site on the corner of Ferraris Rd and Barjarg Rd after harvesting. (More)

VicForests has negotiated a contract extension to supply a smaller quantity of pulp log to South East Fibre Exports in 2015.

VicForests’ General Manager, Stakeholders and Planning, Nathan Trushell, said the contract extension with the Eden-based mill is good news for East Gippsland and the native timber industry. (More)

VicForests is protecting a considerable concentration of tall trees identified during a survey of a proposed harvesting site in Victoria’s Central Highlands.

Michael Ryan, Forest Scientist with VicForests, who surveyed the site along with a local interested expert familiar with the stand said: “We are protecting approximately a dozen trees over 80 metres in height along with many hundreds of trees surrounding them in this area”. (More)