Vica Bayley
To approve this pulp mill in the timeframe demanded by Gunns, any assessment would have to cut out any public hearings and seriously curtail scientific scrutiny of what has already been seen to be a flawed proposal. It would truncate what was already a comprimised process that did not even investigate the impact of the pulp mill on Tasmania’s native forests. By Gunns’ own admission, the Integrated Impact Statement of the pulp mill contained “errors and mistakes” and the RPDC described it as a “document that contains fundamental omissions and errors.” Overwhelmingly this document was seen as inadequate.
GUNNS Ltd has spat the dummy at the RPDC, the body in charge of assessing their monster pulp mill proposal in northern Tasmania. They have withdrawn the proposal from the RPDC and referred it to the State government in what is looking like a sweetheart deal to fast-track the approval of the mill by passing legislation to have it assessed.
Premier Lennon has announced that legislation would be put before a recalled parliament next week, in a move that should be condemned by all. This should be seen as a blatant misuse of legislative power, a disgusting disregard for due process and a move that undermines democracy in Tasmania.
The mill, if built as currently proposed, will have a disastrous outcome for remaining native forests across Tasmania and contribute to existing pollution problems in the Tamar Valley and Launceston environs. It will pump 30 billion litres of toxic effluent into Bass Strait each year and subject Tasmania to economic risks on a global scale.
To approve this pulp mill in the timeframe demanded by Gunns, any assessment would have to cut out any public hearings and seriously curtail scientific scrutiny of what has already been seen to be a flawed proposal. It would truncate what was already a comprimised process that did not even investigate the impact of the pulp mill on Tasmania’s native forests. By Gunns’ own admission, the Integrated Impact Statement of the pulp mill contained “errors and mistakes” and the RPDC described it as a “document that contains fundamental omissions and errors.” Overwhelmingly this document was seen as inadequate.
There is hope that the Upper House of the Tasmanian parliament and the Federal Government can stand up to Premier Lennon’s erosion of due process. We call on the Legislative Council to uphold democracy and for Federal Environment Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, to honour the agreed process for assessing the proposed the pulp mill.
When asked in January about fast-tracking the Pulp Mill assessment process the Federal Environment Ministers predecessor Ian Campbell said; “the assessment has to be progressed under the terms of the bilateral agreement to meet the requirements of the EPBC and, if it’s not, it won’t be approved.”
It will be a tragic day for the Australian environment if the Federal government allows a project of this scale and destructive potential to proceed without proper environmental assessment. There is a clearly laid down process that should be followed. Without the RPDC process, it will be impossible for the Commonwealth to be sure that it has met its obligations under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act.
On the lawns of Parliament House in Hobart, over five hundred people turned out to a snap protest, organised in less than 24 hours. Speakers told the crowd of corruption, cronyism, mates’ deals and unjust processes. The crowd called for fairness, credibility and integrity to be restored to politics in Tasmania and for the pulp mill proposal to be dropped altogether.
Public protest against the pulp mill will continue until decision makers listen. The Wilderness Society will host a follow-up protest event on Parliament House Lawns, next Thursday 22nd March at 12:30 pm.
Vica Bayley
Tasmanian Forest Campaigner
The Wilderness Society (Tas) Inc
