Media Releases 2017
DECEMBER 2017
VicForests is seeking community input into its proposed Timber Release Plan
13 December 2017
Consultation period runs from 4 December 2017 to 12 January 2018
VicForests is seeking input from local community members on the proposed updates to its Timber Release Plan, relating to timber harvesting operations in North East Victoria, West Gippsland and East Gippsland regions.
Listening to the community ensures that we are aware of what is important to them, so that we can incorporate these things into our plans. (More.)
Baw Baw Combined Churches Food Relief helps people in need
13 December 2017
A $2,000 investment in Warragul-based charity, Baw Baw Combined Churches Food Relief, will go towards helping more than 700 families within the Baw Baw Shire access emergency food supplies.
The grant was provided by VicForests, as part of its Community Support Program, and will go towards the operational costs of the volunteer-run organisation, which relies on donations and contributions to continue providing its vital services to those in need. (More.)
Small scale timber harvesting in the Strathbogies
8 December 2017
A low intensity timber harvesting operation will commence in the Strathbogies State forest in January 2018.
VicForests’ General Manager Stakeholders and Planning, Lachlan Spencer, said the operation will use the single-tree selection harvesting method. (More).
NOVEMBER 2017
Community Arts, Crafts and Photography Expo recognises Cann River artistic skills
29 November 2017
Cann River Community Centre this year awarded two prizes worth $250 each as part of its 2017 Arts, Crafts and Photography Expo thanks to VicForests’ Community Support Program contributions.
The Expo, running from 3 to 7 November, had 189 entries from 61 artists, which showcased the artistic skills of the local community with a wide range of art forms represented, including quilting, painting, photography, drawing, soft textiles, woodwork and mixed media. (More)
VicForests FSC® Stakeholder Consultation
21 November 2017
VicForests has commenced a stakeholder consultation phase to encourage relevent stakeholders to comment on our expertise in, and execution of, forestry management practices as journey towards our goal of seeking Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Controlled Wood (CW) certification for our operations in the regions of Central Highlands and East Gippsland. (More).
Click here to read more about our plans to seek FSC®.
VicForests Operations Compliant
15 November 2017
An environmental group has issued legal proceedings regarding VicForests operations under the Central Highlands Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs).
Nathan Trushell, VicForests CEO, said VicForests believes its operations are in accordance with the Central Highlands RFA. (More).
VicForests Media Statement regarding Parliamentary Inquiry Report
1 November 2017
VicForests Media Statement regarding tabling of Parliamentary Inquiry Report. (More).
VicForests Media Statement regarding harvesting delay East Gippsland
1 November 2017
VicForests Media Statement regarding harvesting delay in Princess Cut, East Gippsland. (More).
OCTOBER 2017
VicForests reports positive operating result
19 October 2017
VicForests has achieved a positive profit from operations before tax of $1.5 million in 2016/17, highlighting the continued demand for native timber in Victoria. This is a good result considering the operational challenges we have faced. The company’s result after tax was a loss of $3.2 million, due to a decrease in the accounting valuation of the area of State forest available to be harvested for timber. (More)
Media Statement responding to Murrindindi
10 October 2017
VicForests Media Statement responding to Murrindindi Shire statement calling for an end to timber harvesting in the Shire 9/10/2017 (More).
SEPTEMBER 2017
Letter to The Age
19 September 2017
VicForests letter to the editor sent to The Age titled ‘The root causes’ printed 20/09/2017 (More).
Stakeholder Update – Heyfield Mill Announcement
15 September 2017
The Victorian Government announced this morning that the purchase of the Heyfield Mill has been finanlised.
VicForests welcomes this announcement as it it a very positive outcome for the Victorian timber industry and the Heyfield community with clarity around the future arrangements for the mill. (More)
Media Statement following Mirboo North meeting
15 September 2017
VicForests Media Statement released following a town hall meeting VicForests attended on 14/9/2017 (More).
VicForests welcomes community input
14 September 2017
VicForests attended a community meeting in Mirboo North on Thursday 14 September to speak to local residents about planned operations in the area.
Lachlan Spencer, VicForests General Manager Stakeholders and Planning said that VicForests openly encourages input from the public into its operations. (More).
Media Statement responding to ANU report
8 September 2017
VicForests Media Statement responding to ANU report on economic contribution of timber in the Central highlands released 5/9/2017 (More).
Media Statement responding to community in Mirboo North
8 September 2017
VicForests Media Statement responding to the community in Mirboo North 8/9/2017. (More).
Media Statement responding to Friends of the Earth report
7 September 2017
VicForests Media Statement responding to Frinds of the Earth report released on 7/9/2017 (More).
Media Statement responding to The Guardian
6 September 2017
VicForests Media Statement sent to The Guardian in relation to the article ‘Greater gliders: fears of 'catastrophic' consequences from logging in Victoria’ posted online 7/9/2017 (More).
AUGUST 2017
VicForests appoints new CEO
3 August 2017
Nathan Trushell has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of VicForests following a successful period of acting CEO.
VicForests’ Board Chair, Michael Humphris, said Mr Trushell brings a wealth of experience in the Victorian native timber industry. (More)
JULY 2017
VicForests Media Statement – Timber harvesting in the Strathbogies
31 July 2017
The information regarding no plans to harvest in the Strathbogies ranges within the next two years is incorrect.
As previously communicated with the Strathbogies community, VicForests has plans to commence timber harvesting later in the year.
VicForests 2017 Resource Outlook
11 July 2017
VicForests has released its 2017 Resource Outlook which forecasts the amount of high quality timber that can be commercially supplied from State forests in eastern Victoria on a sustainable basis.
Nathan Trushell, Acting CEO VicForests said the Resource Outlook is developed using a range of systems and processes. (More)
Regrowing Victoria’s State forests
10 July 2017
Every year hundreds of millions of eucalyptus seeds are spread across Victoria’s State forests.
The seeds are used to regrow areas that have been harvested to supply wood to Victoria’s timber industry. Helicopters aerially spread seeds over larger areas and smaller areas are sown by hand.
JUNE 2017
VicForests Community Support Program open for applications
5 June 2017
VicForests is inviting not for profit community groups and services to apply for a grant as part of its 2017 Community Support Program before the deadline of Friday 16 June 2017.
The Community Support Program has been designed by VicForests to assist regional community groups and services who are working to positively contribute to their local area.
APRIL 2017
New Radial timber mill brings economic potential to Gippsland
18 April 2017
A new state-of-the-art radial timber mill will be opening in Gippsland this month and is set to boost both productivity for the mill and jobs for the region.
Chris McEvoy, managing director of Radial Timber Australia said that the new mill opening in Yarram is a first of its kind in the world.
MARCH 2017
Fenced area in Strathbogies to protect growing seedlings
10 March 2016
A fence is being placed around a harvested area in the Strathbogies State forest to protect the newly planted seedlings from being eaten by wild deer.
It is expected that the fence will result in some restrictions to access so a number of entry points will be made available to reduce any impacts to the public.
Safety Summit to deliver important reminder on safety in forestry
3 March 2016
Hundreds of forestry professionals will come together to talk about safety in forestry at the Forest Industry Safety Summit to be held this month in Melbourne.
VicForests is a principle sponsor of this biennial event which will focus on the way people, culture, technologies and systems can help improve the safety of workers within the forestry industry.
FEBRUARY 2017
VicForests seeks community consultation on the Timber Utilisation Plan
28 February 2017
VicForests is seeking comment from local community members on its proposed Timber Utilisation Plan (formally Wood Utilisation Plan) relating to small-scale timber harvesting operations across Victoria.
The community consultation period begins on 20 February 2017 and runs through to 24 March 2017.
Legal costs between VicForests and environmental group settled out of court
8 February 2017
Legal costs relating to a dispute between VicForests and an East Gippsland environment group have been settled out of court with each party paying their own expenses.
This settlement follows an offer made by the environment group in January to discontinue the legal proceedings which related to harvesting on three sites in East Gippsland.
VicForests completes timber harvesting operation in Strathbogies
3 February 2017
VicForests has completed a timber harvesting operation in the Strathbogie State forest.
VicForests’ General Manager Stakeholders and Planning, Lachlan Spencer, said the operation was completed without complications and the site will now begin regenerating.
JANUARY 2017
Champion Woodchoppers to compete in Marlo
17 January 2017
Some of Australia’s leading woodchoppers are making the trip to East Gippsland to be part of the Marlo Woodchop this month.
It will be game on for world champion woodchopper Glen Gillam this Saturday with rising stars Andrew Kelly and Vinny Williams taking him on for a chance at the state title in standing block.
VicForests welcomes new Biodiversity Conservation Research Manager
9 January 2017
Tim McBride, wildlife conservation expert, has recently joined VicForests as the new Biodiversity Conservation Research Manager.
Tim has been working in the forestry industry for more than 22 years with a strong focus in forest ecology and wildlife conservation.
VicForests donates timber to local community group
9 January 2017
VicForests has donated Ash and Acacia timber to the Eildon and District Woodworkers Guild/Alexandra Community Shed to support their local wood craft activities.
The Eildon and District Woodworkers Guild are a community group in Alexandra which are part of the Australian Men’s Shed Association that looks after men’s health in regional communities.
VicForests welcomes offer by environment group to discontinue legal proceedings
3 January 2017
VicForests has welcomed an offer by an environment group to discontinue legal proceedings relating to harvesting on three sites in East Gippsland. Harvesting operations had been suspended on the sites pending the outcome of the proceedings brought by the environment group.