Revealed - Flawed old-growth forest election promises

An investigation into the Victorian Government's commitment to protect 41,000 hectares of old-growth forests in East Gippsland has been released by the Wilderness Society, the Victorian National Parks Association and the Australian Conservation Foundation.

• Download investigation here >>

  

  Environmental Organisations' Investigation into the 2006 Labor government old-growth forest election commitment

  
  (PDF - 1.4 MB)
  

The report reveals that approximately 40% of forests pledged for protection are either not old-growth forests or wanted for commercial purposes by the logging industry.

The Labor government's commitment back in November 2006, was to "immediately protect the Goolengook Block and the last significant stands of Victoria's old growth forests currently available for timber harvesting by including them in the National Parks and reserve system."

The government also committed to investing in an old-growth walking track near Goongerah in East Gippsland.

Since the announcement was made over 30 months ago, many areas of spectacular old-growth forest have been logged by the state government logging agency, VicForests.  Magnificent stands of ancient forests have been bulldozed, logged and burned in areas such as Brown Mountain, Stony Creek, Bungwarr and Survey Rd.

There is still time for Premier Brumby to show true leadership and change the boundaries of proposed maps to ensure the intent of the commitment is delivered.

Please ask Premier Brumby to show this leadership and help hold the state government to its election commitments.

Take Action

Write to Premier Brumby (letters are always best)

Premier John Brumby

1 Treasury Place
Melbourne Victoria 3002

Email the Premier

Meet with your local MP:

• Discuss the election promise and explain why this is of importance to you.  After all, you are simply asking them to deliver on their own promise.