The Victorian Government has confirmed that the end of native forest logging in the state will be brought forward to the end of 2023! Someone pop the champagne!

 

In a massive win for conservationists, native flora and fauna, and just about anyone who wants to enjoy Victoria’s forests into the future, the state’s native logging industry is packing up shop six years early!

Read more: 5 Reasons to Car About the Errinundra Plateau in East Gippsland

In 2019, the Victorian Government announced a $120 million plan to phase out the native logging industry in the state in 2030. However, due to a combination of conservation action, recent court decisions, bushfires, and the establishment of environmental no-logging zones, the industry has been gradually slowing down, with feasible harvest supplies becoming limited. Sad face. 

In fact, VicForests hasn’t harvested all year due to the Supreme Court ruling it’d broken the law by not doing its due diligence to protect the Yellow-bellied glider and the endangered Greater glider in Gippsland and Central Victoria. 

The early end of logging in Victoria is expected to save the equivalent of the emissions from 730,000 cars every year! Not to mention the protection of habitat for endangered species, such as the Greater glider.

Read more: Majell Backhausen Ran Across the Great Forest National Park to Try and Save It

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas is expected to announce a larger $200 million transition package to help out the workers and their families leave the crumbling industry by the end of the year. This money will go towards retraining workers and transitioning them to the plantation timber sector.

 

Feature photo by Tiff Tarrant