Bunnings has said it will review its decision to stop selling timber logged by VicForests. Bunnings announced in June last year it would stop selling timber logged by VicForests after a court finding that the state government-owned forestry agency breached conservation laws. Source: Timberbiz
The ban resulted in protests from political and industry leaders as well as the CFMEU and led to a blockade at the entrance to the Bunnings store at Traralgon.
However, the Federal Court determined this week that VicForests’ forestry operations covered by Regional Forest Agreements provided all the environmental protections required by national environmental laws.
“We are aware of the decision and will undertake a review of the details to fully understand any implications in relation to our timber policy,” Bunnings’ General Manager Merchandise Toby Watson said.
East Gippsland MP Tim Bull said he had spoken with the Bunnings Australia Managing Director, Mike Schneider, to express his surprise they had acted in a knee-jerk manner to a decision under appeal.
“He said at the time he would revisit the decision if the appeal was upheld. Further contact with Mr Schneider this week indicated Bunnings will reconsider their position in the coming weeks,” Mr Bull said.
“Where they go with this will be very interesting. This is a company that stocks Merbau harvested out of New Guinea but has banned Victorian hardwood based on a court decision, that was immediately appealed and has now been overturned. I don’t see how they cannot overturn this,” Mr Bull said.
Meanwhile VicForests again came under attack this week following the Federal Court decision with Environment East Gippsland being granted an interim injunction in the Supreme Court on Wednesday to halt logging in a stand of intact forest where a high density of threatened Greater Gliders have allegedly been found.
The interim injunction will remain in place until May 20, 2021.
It is understood VicForests only became aware of the application for the injunction on Tuesday.
“VicForests is defending the proceeding which has been filed against it by Environment East Gippsland Inc,” a VicForests spokesman said.
“It is disappointing that Environment East Gippsland commenced this court action without any correspondence with VicForests, taking up valuable Court time and resources.
“Thorough preparation is undertaken prior to harvesting, and we put special protections in place for priority habitat and species of concern if found in coupes ahead of harvesting taking place,” the spokesman said.
“Such protection measures comply with, and often exceed, regulatory prescriptions.”
