The precautionary principle, as incorporated into the Code of Practice for Timber Production, imposes legally enforceable obligations on VicForests requiring further surveys where there is scientific uncertainty about the presence of threatened species in suitable habitat. Detections of endangered species trigger mandatory habitat protection requirements under Action Statements and the Forest Management Plan that must be complied with before logging can lawfully proceed. Conservation groups with a demonstrated history of involvement in the relevant environmental issues have standing to enforce these obligations by way of injunction.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 35 later cases that cite this judgment.
3 of the 35 citing cases carry a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.