We calibrate this sustainably and regenerate and regrow areas on a 50 to 120-year cycle.

This is the factual base from which a few claim that VicForests is unleashing an environmental Armageddon.

Let’s consider briefly an alternative perspective.

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VicForests is actively and heavily regulated, rightly so and as people would expect for an organisation that manages a public resource owned by all Victorians.

Last week, it was asserted that a current case against VicForests by the Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum is “based on” failures and breaches by VicForests.

In fact, it is “based on” on a second set of claims by FoLBP after their first set failed to pass a legal threshold to get to first base. We respect the court process and will defend our record.

One little-considered factor in the claims against native forestry is the questions of alternatives.

These timber resources are not easily substituted by plantations; especially the highly demanded appearance grade timbers produced from Victorian native forests.

Substituting imports carries its own impacts if, as is likely, wood is sourced from developing countries with less developed ecological controls.

VicForests is intensely aware of our responsibilities. We employ biodiversity experts who guide us in that responsibility.

We know our work protects and preserves habitat ranges.

Under strict regulations, we seek out habitats of the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum. Where a colony is detected, we encircle it with the equivalent to six MCG fields, connect it to thousands of hectares of continuous forest and do not harvest nearby.

In East Gippsland, where the Greater Glider needs protection, if we find more than 10 in a one-kilometre line, we wrap a 100ha protection zone around the habitat.

In the Central Highlands, where regulation has not been completed, we voluntarily preserve Greater Glider habitat trees (unless they are unsafe), in some cases voluntarily retaining roughly 60 per cent of trees in a coupe and around 80 per cent of Glider habitat trees.

Beyond that, VicForests contributes to regional Victoria. We create 2500 direct jobs for real people in regional townships from Morwell to Orbost, and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in regional economic activity

In may not seem much on Collins Street, but livelihoods and communities depend on us.

Few who attack VicForests mention the impacts of alternative wood sources, or alternative materials, and how they will substitute for our social and economic contribution in Gippsland.

We all need to accept responsibility for answering the hard questions: if not native timber from Victoria, then from where, or what will substitute, and who will suffer?

Alex Messina is general manager of corporate affairs at VicForests.