A Supreme Court interim injunction granted last week has stopped some logging in the Central Highlands.

VicForests must desist from cutting trees in 10 coupes that had been earmarked for clear-felling in the Central Highlands and Gippsland after ‘Wildlife of the Central Highlands Inc.’ went to court, arguing the threatened species in the woodlands needed to be protected.

Justice Kate McMillan was told that the threatened species were the Greater Glider, Powerful Owl, Sooty Owl and Smoky Mouse.

The Writ was filed on Tuesday (Jan. 28) and the initial hearing was held on Wednesday (Jan. 29).

Environmental Justic Australia, solicitors for the conservation group, claimed that the coupes contained, or were likely to contain, bushfire-affected threatened species.

An iapplication for an interloctory injunction is being sought. VicForests had not failed a response to 1800 pages of documentary material, when Justice McMillan granted the interim injunction.

It was alleged that it is unlawful for VicForests to harvest timber in bushfire-affected regions. The wildlife group conducts citizen science in Victoria’s forests.

Justice McMillan said the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act provided that a species is eligible to be listed as “threatened” if it is in a demonstrable state of decline which is likely to result in extinction.

A Victorian state report, and a Federal response, have not been completed.
VicForests said the application was a transaparent attempt to use legal process to achieve a political outcome. The conservation group said there would be some financial loss but harvesting could take place later.