Trial begins for VicForests accused of unlawful logging activity threatening wildlife

VicForests is accused of unlawful logging causing further damage to vital habitat after bushfires. (Supplied)

A Supreme Court trial has begun between VicForests and a Victorian wildlife group seeking to protect native wildlife impacted by bushfires and logging.

The Wildlife of the Central Highlands (WOTCH) group claims VicForests has acted unlawfully by undertaking lumbering in Victoria, accusing the state-owned enterprise of causing further damage to wildlife habitat after bushfires in 2019 and 2020.

WOTCH undertook the legal action after arguing timber harvesting in the state's Central Highlands and East Gippsland does not comply with the Code of Practice for Timber Production.

The code outlines the requisite of conservation of biodiversity and regard of expert advice when logging.

WOTCH have noted a particular concern for four native Australian animals under threat including the sooty owl, powerful owl, greater glider, and smoky mouse.

The group was previously granted injunctions to put a halt to logging exercises across 40 Victorian forest areas.

The greater glider is listed as threatened in Victoria with the species at risk of becoming extinct in the coming years. (Supplied: Gayle Osborne)

According to a 2020 report from the Department of Environment, the four species' habitat areas were projected to be impacted between 35-98 per cent due to future events including continuous logging and fires.

WOTCH is being represented by legal counsel from Environmental Justice Australia (EJA).

In opening remarks today in the Victorian Supreme Court, Richard Knowles QC from the EJA pointed out the four species were already listed as threatened under Victorian legislation before the 2019-2020 fires, and two were listed as threatened under Commonwealth legislation.

"It's estimated one billion birds and mammals were impacted due to the bushfires," Mr Knowles said.

A Lesser Sooty Owl chick at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, April 2015. (Taronga Zoo)

In 2019 the Victorian government announced it would cease native forest logging by 2030.

Allegations have previously been made against VicForests including systemic illegal logging and failing to regenerate land.

Mr Knowles spent some time speaking on expert submissions, in which experts said current logging measures "must be improved".

VicForests is being represented by Jason Pizer QC for the defence and is expected to begin his own opening remarks tomorrow.

The trial will continue for three weeks under the Honourable Justice Andrew Keogh.