My issue with the pulp mill, project of state significance

John Day

How will the RPDC handle this?

The time frame for residents to review and forward a submission has to be extended. Of course Ministers, Councils, interested organizations, the Federal government will have the same problem with the existing time frame. A more cynical person would perhaps say that this is all part of the plan, no time to respond and residents relying upon the State Government’s assurances that the proposal is just what we need.

Likewise the media, with very few exceptions: have not assisted individuals or groups of concerned citizens, who have been unable to have their questions or views heard, or who have been served up the Government’s line irrespective of if it is believable or a realistic answer. The media has not informed the public of 90% of the potential issues that would have a direct bearing on citizens and the community.

RESIDENTS and organizations are waiting for the final Gunns IIS, which should be presented to the RPDC at the end of this month.

In the mean time we have a mountain of issues that could be discussed but the media, newspapers and the Government will not discuss anything “we are waiting for the IIS” is the feed back that I receive.

I would like someone — The State Government, explain why some Federal and State Ministers are openly taking about related issues, as if the go ahead for the Pulp Mill has already been given.

This is compromising the standing of the RPDC — The Federal Minister for Transport and Infrastructure said when he was announcing the $60M upgrade of the East Tamar Highway (I have read nothing about this highway for years) — that this was to upgrade the highway in readiness for the Pulp Mill, Jim Cox: State Transport Minister late last week also advised that the upgrade of the East Tamar Highway was to be completed by 2008 in readiness of the increased traffic from the Pulp Mill and Bell Bay.

The State governments, The Premier, the Pulp Mill Task Force, Gunns Limited, Mr. J. Gay, Gunns “Community Liaison”-PR Officer(s), and many other spokespersons have repeatedly stated that “there will be no increase in traffic on these highways due to the Pulp Mill” So why are the state and Federal Governments spending $60M to upgrade the Highway? — Could it have to do with the water pipeline from Trevallyn Dam to Longreach perhaps?

Why do not the media report on these issues?

Why did Jim Cox mention the Egg Island Road, which is right on the river? Is Gunns surveying part of the Trevallyn Reserve by the lake? Is this to locate two huge water tanks as part of the pump house/pipeline equipment for the Pulp Mill?

Why do not the media report on these issues?

In Gunns referral of the Project to the Federal Government, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Gunns stated that 5 nationally registered ENDANGERED species of flora and fauna and an additional 5 registered nationally as VULNRABLE species, and 27 migratory species of birds are using the area, and 2 registered Reserves, and one Informal registered Reserve and one State Forest plus the reserves along both pipeline routes — these all MAY be in the area and MAY be in the area were work is to be carried out. We will find out when the final IIS is lodged with the RPDC.

The Four Mile Creek Wildlife Sanctuary — which is exactly the land between the power station and the existing chip mill (look on a map), has been listed since 1980ish: and is still officially on the National Register. However in 2002 some organization notified the National Register that its values were “” lost”” due to development””. However the listing was not changed and 18 months ago control of the Register was passed to individual State governments.

If this is so why is our State Government able to consider allowing the proposal to proceed at all? Compromising the existence of Threatened (Wedge Tail Eagles) and Vulnerable species, migratory birds, Reserves, State Forest, road side and adjacent reserves; this should not be allowed. Government departments state and nationally are spending money protecting and conserving these things for us and our children, and Tourists etc.

No time to respond

Gunns spokespersons have confirmed that the final IIS is approximately 6000 pages long, plus a 35 page executive summary. That a lot of paper, 6000 — A4 pages is of the order of 60 cms high, 48 Mbytes of text, more than 30 Kgs in weight, 28 minutes of average Broadband download time, and in the 6 weeks available to residents to review and make a submission, residents would have to read 142 pages a day.

How will the RPDC handle this?

The time frame for residents to review and forward a submission has to be extended. Of course Ministers, Councils, interested organizations, the Federal government will have the same problem with the existing time frame. A more cynical person would perhaps say that this is all part of the plan, no time to respond and residents relying upon the State Governments assurances that the proposal is just what we need.

I hope the final IIS confirms that the proposal is the of the “Highest Standard-Cleanest-Greenest Pulp Mill in the World”, that the water dumped into Bass Strait is “as clean as a kid’s aquarium” or that all 29Gl has less dioxin than a wine glass of red, that the 12 months of air testing in the Valley proves that the Inversion layer and discharges will not be a problem, and that there will be less than two odor instances a year / no need for the Proponents to fund air conditioners for residents up to 39 Km away/ no need for significant additional council and state government Environmental Complaints Officers ( like on the mainland), and I hope for so much more.

A tight corner

I firmly believe that the State Government and the Proponent have painted themselves and Tasmania into such a tight corner with their handling and super confidence about everything to do with this Proposal. That Tasmania’s business reputation will be adversely effected both nationally and internationally if the project does not go ahead. Irrespective of the recommendations of the RPDC, the State and Tasmanians desperately needs a truly independent of Government, Environmental Protection Agency to protect our heritage, rights, health, and safety.

In the last eighteen months I have seen first hand that the majority of residents are actually wary of being aligned, or wary of speaking out, due to Liability and SLAP legal action. This is to the detriment of Tasmania.

How can the State Government really believe that residents will be well served: and that they still hold our respect with a website that has just six “frequently asked “ questions: just six — for a $1.5B project affecting almost every aspect of residents concerns, rights, heritage and their community.

Likewise the media, with very few exceptions: have not assisted individuals or groups of concerned citizens, who have been unable to have their questions or views heard, or who have been served up the Government’s line irrespective of if it is believable or a realistic answer. The media has not informed the public of 90% of the potential issues that would have a direct bearing on citizens and the community.

John Day
Rowella