Royal Commission demanded into VicForests logging arson of heritage old growth!

I have to pinch myself to realise this is 2009 and not 1959.

This photo just in from the old growth forests of Brown Mountain in East Gippsland - home of remnant giant Australian natives dating up to 600 years old. This photo shows the Brown Mountain Massacre yesterday (22 April 2009) of these magnificent giants by VicForests on its celebrated World Forestry Day.

In 2006, the then Premier, Steve Bracks, made a promise to “protect all significant stands of old growth currently available for logging” (hollow words by a man of renouned indecision). The immense trees that have sheltered and raised hundreds of generations of owls and gliding possums are now being hacked down by VicForests." [SOURCE: The Potoroo Review, Issue 196]

VicForests' leadership inspiration, Warren Hodgson, must feel pround leaving such a legacy of heritage denial to future Gippslanders, Victorian and Australians. "Warren Hodgson has been involved in policy development at the highest level of the Victorian public sector and has previously led the Victorian Government efforts on Public Private Partnerships. He has a background in the manufacturing industry in New Zealand and in the provision of contract services to public and private sectors throughout the Asia-Pacific region."

VicForests (from its website) present its vision and values as:
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Our vision:
"To be a leader in a sustainable Victorian timber industry."

Our purpose:
"To build a responsible business that generates the best community value from the commercial management of Victoria's State forests."

Our values:
"Accountable - VicForests is accountable to the Victorian Government. Its actions and those of its employees must be consistent with relevant Government policy and priorities."

Committed - "VicForests is committed to the fulfilment of its purpose and the achievement of its vision for the Victorian timber industry."

Safe - "VicForests and its staff will manage safe workplaces for all staff and contractors, and are committed to continuous improvement in safety systems and outcomes, in accordance with its Occupational Health and Safety Policy."

Customer focussed - "VicForests will be responsive to its customers' requirements and seek customer satisfaction, in accordance with its commercial nature."

Ethical - "VicForests will operate in an ethical and environmentally responsible manner in all its undertakings to ensure the integrity and sustainability of the native forest timber industry in Victoria."

Innovative - "VicForests seeks to be innovative and adaptable in its organisational, business and forestry management operations."

Open - "VicForests will manage the commercial harvesting and sale of timber in a framework of openness and transparency."

Professional - "VicForests and its staff will operate in a professional manner in all undertakings to ensure the best possible outcomes for the organisation, its customers, the Victorian timber industry and its stakeholders."

Sustainable - "VicForests will pursue the highest standards for forest management practices through the continued development of its Sustainable Forest Management System and by ensuring its triple bottom line performance against the requirements of Victoria's Sustainability Charter for State forests."

[SOURCE: http://www.vicforests.com.au/vision-purpose-and-values.htm]

I have to pinch myself to realise this is 2009 and not 1959.

Brown Mountain - destruction complete! of 24 Apr 09.