Red light for pulp mill

National Toxics Network

A report released by the National Toxics Network (NTN) today concludes that the Gunns’ proposed pulp mill fails to meet 58% of the requirements set down by the Resource Planning and Development Commission in relation to emissions. This is in stark contrast to the findings of the SWECO PIC report which assessed the pulp mill as failing only 8% of requirements. Our report exposes major flaws in both the SWECO report and Gunns pulp mill proposal.

SWECO PIC, are pulp mill industry consultants from Finland commissioned by the Tasmanian Government to examine compliance of the proposed pulp mill prior to a Parliamentary approval process. NTN found that the SWECO report had not correctly assessed many of the factors against existing scientific literature and international experience of pulp mill pollution.

NTN spokesperson Lee Bell said, The SWECO PIC consultants were given extremely restrictive criteria against which to assess the compliance of the proposed pulp mill. As a result they relied heavily on pulp industry literature and studies that skew the pollution levels associated with modern pulp mills. They also took Gunns’ claims on pollution at face level which is a major mistake. NTN considered a wide range of literature and expert evidence and has found that the pulp mill does not comply with 58% of its requirements. The SWECO report glosses over many important issues, ignoring the flow-on impacts of non-compliant criterion (such as chlorine and bromine contamination in the bleach) through the pulp mill process which render other factors such as dioxin control in effluent and air emissions non-compliant.

Expert information that has come forward late in the process from Dr Stuart Godfrey (effluent movement) and Dr Andrew Wadsley (dioxin contamination) has not been given due consideration due to the Parliamentary fast-tracking of the pulp mill approval� said Mr Bell. These experts conclude that pulp mill effluent is likely to cause coastal contamination as a result of effluent drift and that dioxin levels in sediment of Bass Strait are likely to tip some fish dioxin levels over Australian limits� warns Mr Bell.

Relying on the SWECO report alone to make a decision would be a mistake. NTN urges decision-makers to ensure they hear other voices and assessments of the controversial pulp mill proposal, Mr Bell concluded.