Brown Mountain to stay green – for now

Brown Mountain, in Victoria’s East Gippsland, is home to magnificent old-growth trees as well as endangered species like the Orbost spiny crayfish and the Long-footed potoroo.

One of the giant Brown Mountain trees that will hopefully be saved by the Supreme Court Injunction. Photo: Luke Chamberlain

But despite previous promises from the Victorian government to protect the last significant stands of old-growth forests in the state, Brown Mountain still has no protection against logging by VicForests.

Early in 2009, things were looking dire.  Ignoring community outrage, VicForests’ bulldozers continued to destroy trees as old as 500 years.

Supported by the Wilderness Society, along with many concerned residents, volunteers and other concerned Victorians, Environment East Gippsland brought a last-minute court injunction against the logging at Brown Mountain. 

Environment East Gippsland is Victoria’s longest running community forest group working solely for the protection of Victoria’s last and largest area of ancient forest in the state. Environment East Gippsland drew a line in the sand, and submitted for a court injunction to halt the logging.

VicForests, the Victorian Government's commercial logging agency, stood up in court and argued for logging to begin as soon as possible. Incredibly, VicForests said that it is not their responsibility, nor is it possible for them to comply with endangered species legislation!

Supreme Court judge Justice Jack Forrest commented on photographs showing the ''apparent total obliteration'' of an old-growth logging coupe in Brown Mountain and subsequent burning off, saying they reminded him of the battlefields of the Somme. ''To put it bluntly, once the logging is carried out and the native habitat destroyed, then it cannot be reinstated or repaired in anything but the very, very long term,'' he said.

An injunction against logging was granted just in time. But an expensive trial over the issue will be heard in March. The Brown Mountain forests will need all the help they can get.

To find out more, and learn how you can get involved, please visit www.eastgippsland.net.au

Take action! 

Write to Premier Brumby, demanding he protect all old-growth forests in Victoria. Premier John Brumby,  1 Treasury Place, Melbourne Victoria 3002

Further reading

Minister 'on two fronts' in forest
The Age   |   March 3, 2010
ENVIRONMENT Minister Gavin Jennings moved to protect significant areas of old-growth forest in East Gippsland at the same time as releasing some of it for logging, a court has heard. More >>

Logging 'a threat to wildlife'
The Age   |   March 2, 2010
STATE-SANCTIONED logging of old-growth forest in East Gippsland poses a risk to threatened and endangered species and is at odds with the government's own legislation, an environment group has said. More >>

Lack of leadership breaks election promise to protect Victoria’s old-growth forests
The Wilderness Society expressed dismay at how the state government has not delivered on its 2006 state election promise to protect old-growth forests. After years of negotiation, the state government has capitulated to the logging industry over the interests of the public. More >>

Supreme Court orders logging halt at Brown Mountain
In an historic win for the Victorian forest campaign, the Supreme Court has ordered a logging halt in Brown Mountain's old-growth forests in East Gippsland. More >>

Old-growth trees logged at Brown Mountain over 500 years old
The Brumby government's 2006 policy to protect old-growth forests in East Gippsland has been put to shame by VicForests who has been caught out logging trees over 500 years old. More >>