Paul Oosting Wilderness Society MR

The wood supply deal for Gunns’ pulp mill rules out a range of coupes from being feedstock for the pulp mill. However, high conservation-value forests, including areas that are habitat for endangered species, can and will be logged to feed the pulp mill. As this analysis shows that Gunns’ pulp mill will log important areas of high conservation-value forests, we are calling on the ANZ to stand by their new forest policy and refuse to finance the pulp mill.
Media Release 13th May, 2008

NEW ANZ FOREST POLICY SHOULD STOP PULP MILL INVESTMENT

Analysis of wood supply deal shows high conservation-value forests to feed pulp mill

The ANZ Bank’s new Forest Policy released on 4th May 2008 sets a standard that does not support the logging of high conservation-value forests and should preclude any ANZ involvement with the funding of Gunns’ proposed pulp mill in Tasmania. The Wilderness Society today released evidence which proves high conservation-value forests could be destroyed to supply Gunns’ pulp mill, contrary to the ANZ’s new Forest Policy.

The ANZ describes its new forest policy as intending to :
• avoid supporting the logging of areas of high conservation value or areas protected by specified legislation or international environmental treaties and conventions.
Using data supplied as part of the pulp mill’s 20-year wood supply agreement between Forestry Tasmania and Gunns , and the 2009–2010 logging schedule from Forestry Tasmania’s current 3 Year Wood Production Plan , The Wilderness Society has produced a map showing that high-conservation value forests can be used to feed the pulp mill.

“The ANZ’s new forest policy does not accept the logging of high conservation-value forests or any activity that threatens the survival of nationally listed threatened species,” said Paul Oosting, pulp mill campaigner for The Wilderness Society.

The wood supply deal for Gunns’ pulp mill rules out a range of coupes from being feedstock for the pulp mill. However, high conservation-value forests, including areas that are habitat for endangered species, can and will be logged to feed the pulp mill.

“As this analysis shows that Gunns’ pulp mill will log important areas of high conservation-value forests, we are calling on the ANZ to stand by their new forest policy and refuse to finance the pulp mill,” said Mr Oosting.

The Australian community, ANZ customers and staff do not want to see Tasmania’s irreplaceable forests turned into pulp for the profit of one company. The ANZ has the opportunity to take a leading position on environmental responsibility by refusing to be involved with Gunns’ pulp mill.

“Protecting native forests is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to combat climate change, with spin off benefits for wildlife habitat and safe water catchments,” said Mr Oosting “No bank that is serious about social and environmental responsibility should fund a project that threatens high conservation-value forests and poses such a serious threat to climate change,” concluded Mr Oosting.

On Sunday 15th June 2008 The Wilderness Society will be holding a rally in Melbourne calling on the ANZ not to fund Gunns’ pulp mill. It will be the first such Australian rally targeting a bank over funding environmental destruction.

Attached is a report and map which identify high conservation-value forests in north-east Tasmania threatened by the pulp mill.