A STATE government investigation into claims of illegal logging in east Gippsland has cleared VicForests of wrongdoing in forestry operations in east Gippsland.
Investigations of claims the state-owned timber company illegally logged and destroyed ancient rainforest canopy species on the Errinundra Plateau made by the Goongerah Environment Centre found VicForests had not breached logging codes for rainforest protection and waterway harvesting.
It also found there was inconclusive evidence to support the allegations of rainforest harvesting.
However the environment group’s spokesman Ed Hill rejected the findings.
“DELWP contacted our organisation . . . and said their investigation failed to find conclusive evidence the area of rainforest was large enough to be given legal protection, but they are refusing to release their findings, despite giving an undertaking they would do so,” he said.
“DELWP’s refusal to release the findings brings into question their methods and how they came to this conclusion. We expect better from the Andrew’s government, who promised Victorian’s greater transparency and accountability in government,” Mr Hill said.
