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Victoria Ignored Logging Warnings for a Decade
5 Apr
Summary
- Top officials advised ending East Gippsland logging in 2014.
- Cabinet documents reveal decade-long ignored environmental advice.
- Government's environmental record mixed, despite emissions progress.
Confidential cabinet documents from December 2014 show that senior public servants advised the incoming Labor government to "priority" transition out of native forest harvesting in East Gippsland. They warned this would cease economic losses, estimated at $5 million to $6 million annually for the operation, and halt unproductive clearance of a sensitive area.
These documents indicate that the government had the opportunity to act a decade ago to protect forests. Instead, logging continued, influenced by companies, until court rulings and other factors forced an end by the end of 2024. Environmental groups noted the government's progress on emissions reduction and renewables.
Despite ambitious targets leading to a 31 per cent drop in emissions since 2005 and nearly half of Victoria's electricity now from renewables, concerns persist about broader environmental issues. The state of threatened species and biodiversity has reportedly worsened since 2014, with many species lacking action plans.
