Saws down as state’s forest logging firm gets the chop

State-owned logging company VicForests will be wound up within months, a court hearing has revealed. Photo: AAP
Victoria’s state-owned logging company will shut down within months.
A June 30 end date was revealed on Wednesday morning during a court hearing involving VicForests and environmental group Wombat Forestcare.
The winding-up of the body is part of the Victorian government’s decision to end native forest logging, which took effect on January 1.
Stand-down payments to VicForests contractors are due to end on June 30.
Victorian Greens deputy leader Ellen Sandell accused VicForests of being “environmental vandals” and said it was about time they were shut down.
“We now need Labor to focus its environment department on restoration and protection of our forests, with specialised staff who have these skills,” she said.
The decision comes after a series of court actions against VicForests, including a Supreme Court finding in 2022 that it failed to adequately survey and protect two endangered glider species.
In 2023 the Victorian Information Commissioner revealed the business used taxpayer money to illegally spy on environmentalists, using a private investigator to try to discredit them.
VicForests, the Victorian government and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action have been contacted for comment.
– AAP