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March 21, 2007
Tasmania is again debating and fighting over its forests. The timber industry continues to be the problem. Tasmania's future is what is up for grabs and it has reverted to its 'crash through type' to overcome the environment economic divide.
Ray Norman, Tasmanian postcard
At the moment it does look as if there has been a sweetheart deal between Gunns and the government to fast-track approval of the proposed pulp mill in the Tamar valley at all costs. Gunns Ltd have withdrawn from the Resource Planning and Development Commission (RPDC), the body in charge of assessing their pulp mill proposal in northern Tasmania. They have withdrawn the proposal from the RPDC and referred it to the State government to fast-track the approval of the mill by passing legislation to have it assessed. Premier Lennon has recalled parliament to put legislation into Parliament yesterday to approve the mill.
That means the final say on the mill lies with the Tasmanian Parliament. Will the parliamentarians, especially MLCs, who support the mill, but only if assessed by the independent RPDC, stand firm when called on to vote in parliament?
I understand that Federal Government will make its own assessment of the proposed the pulp mill under the terms of the bilateral agreement to meet the requirements of the EPBC. If it doesn't meet these requirements, then it won't be approved. Will that be the case though?
The new assessment process of the chlorine dioxide pulp mill put forward by the Tasmanian Government will include a social and economic benefit study that will not take account of any negative impacts on the wine or tourism industries in the region. Tamar already has problem with air quality, exacerbated by the region's topography. There will be thousands of tonnes of particulars put into the air shed in a place where eight people die every year directly related to air pollution related diseases. I understand that because of the long flushing times in Bass Strait where the effluent outfall of the mill is to be, the contaminated water, including organo-chlorines, will remain around for a long time.
There need not be this environment v economic standoff. How about an environmentally responsible mill through a properly managed process?
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It's nothing short of disgusting.
John Gay rattles the cage, and all his monkeys jump about.
Tasmania was promised the world's best practice pulp mill, instead we will get another filthy polluter.
Just what a state that promotes itself as a tourist mecca needs.
And Gunn's share price will continue to rise, heavily subsidised by all Tasmanian's through bad timber pricing.