VicForests has welcomed an offer by an environment group to discontinue legal proceedings relating to harvesting on three sites in East Gippsland. Source: Timberbiz
Harvesting operations had been suspended on the sites pending the outcome of the proceedings brought by the environment group.
Lachlan Spencer, VicForests’ General Manager, Planning and Stakeholders, said the proceedings were brought by the environment group regarding the protection of threatened species.
“The Supreme Court noted VicForests’ position in relation to the issues and made an order allowing the environment group to discontinue its legal claims,” Mr Spencer said.
“VicForests has not been required to change its practices as a result of the legal action.
“All of the threatened species detected on the three sites by VicForests and community groups are being protected appropriately by VicForests.
“VicForests will continue to follow all procedures regarding threatened species surveys and respond to any additional information provided as we always have done,” he said.
The matter of costs remain outstanding and a court date to determine this has been set for February 2017.
