A recent article published in the Monthly magazine on 3 November 2020 entitled ‘Coup de grâce’ contained a number of false and unfair claims.  VicForests was not given the opportunity to correct these claims as we were not approached for comment despite being named several times throughout this story.

A more balanced article would have made reference to VicForests’ efforts to safeguard the habitat of the Leadbeater’s Possum and the benefits of the extensive protections that have been set by Government including the significant buffers required to protect any tree where a Leadbeater’s Possum is spotted.

The Monthly similarly failed to acknowledge the regeneration work conducted by VicForests on its harvested coupes and in fire-affected areas. Indeed, between May and July this year, VicForests supplied more than 3 tonnes of eucalypt seed to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, which was then aerially dispersed on areas severely impacted by last summer’s bushfires as part of the Victorian State Government’s State Recovery Plan.

All timber harvesting and regeneration operations have and will continue to be conducted in accordance with Victoria’s strict environmental regulations and the State’s Forest Management Zoning scheme. VicForests’ operations are scrutinised by the Office of the Conservation Regulator and its strict regulatory guidelines ensure the protection of threatened flora and fauna.