Targetted!

Vica Bayley Wilderness Society MR

This sovereign risk deal is further proof that the pulp mill will be heavily dependent on the logging of native forests for its entire life.
MEDIA RELEASE – 7th May 2008

SOVERIGN RISK DEAL CONFIRMS THAT HIGH-CONSERVATION VALUE FORESTS TARGETED FOR PULP MILL

The sovereign risk agreement announced by Treasurer Michael Aird represents confirms that forests of high-conservation value, forests that should be protected, will be fed into the pulp mill.

“This deal aims to shackle future generations to the status quo of forest destruction in Tasmania and continues the shocking abandonment of due process by the Lennon Government,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for The Wilderness Society.

“This sovereign risk deal is further proof that the pulp mill will be heavily dependent on the logging of native forests for its entire life. Many of those forests will be of extremely high conservation-value, including endangered wildlife habitat, domestic water catchments and massive carbon stores.”

“The deal reinforces the fact that an overwhelming majority of Australians have long wanted to see additional forest protection in Tasmania. This is why Gunns has insisted on a compensation clause.”

Gunns own figures show that the pulp mill will consume 4.5 million tonnes of wood each year, including 500,000 tonnes to be burnt in a wood fired power station. Gunns has failed to rule out using old growth forests in the power generator. Gunns entire plantation estate at Hampshire is currently planned for overseas export and is not scheduled to be fed into the pulp mill.

“If the Tasmanian pulp mill goes ahead it will destroy an area of native forest equivalent to 100,000 MCGs and increase Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, said Mr Bayley.

“Tasmania’s forests are significant storage areas of carbon. Protecting native forests is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to combat climate change. Logging them releases stored carbon a greenhouse gas emissions,” concluded Mr Bayley.