03/09/2025
People are fighting the good fights
Now the time has come. After over a year filled with citizen science, legal preparation, and determination, Warburton Environmentâs 'Hollowâs Case' final hearing (trial) will be heard in the Federal Court starting Monday 1 September. PLEASE JOIN US!
We are challenging the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) over its widespread destruction of hollow-bearing and recruitment trees in the Central Highlands. These trees, many centuries old, provide nesting and shelter sites for the critically endangered Leadbeaterâs Possum and the endangered Southern Greater Glider.
đż Represented in the proceedings by Senior Counsel Jonathon Korman, WE are arguing that the strategic fuel break renewal program breaches the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) by:
Destroying critical habitat for wildlife;
Threatening the survival of nationally listed species;
Interfering with any future recovery of the Leadbeaterâs Possum and Southern Greater Glider.
âď¸ Whatâs happening in Court:
Day One (Mon 1 Sept) will feature opening submissions and objections to evidence. This session offers the clearest overview of the case and is the most powerful day to show community support. We will also then have a better understanding about when key witnesses will be giving evidence ( we will send another update after Monday's hearing).
The hearing is expected to run for seven days. If you canât make it on the first day, please consider attending another.
đ Join us in person:
Meet at 9:30 am (to allow time for security screening) Monday 1st September (and all other days)
Outside Le Will CafĂŠ, 305 William St, Melbourne (directly above Flagstaff Train Station)
Hearings run 10:15 am â 1:00 pm and 2:15 pm â 4:15 pm daily for 7 days
đť Join online: Justice Horan's Associate has confirmed that a livestream has been arranged and will be available via the Federal Courtâs YouTube channel.
đ How else you can help:
This case is a huge undertaking for a small volunteer community group. We still need to raise around $3,000 to cover trial costs. If you can, please consider donating to our Chuffed campaign
With so much gratitude đ