Mill: They’ll get what they want

Nick Clark Mercury Saturday
LANDHOLDERS along the proposed pulp mill water pipeline on the East Tamar were yesterday posted offers for land acquisition. Gunns Limited released a statement under the name of executive chairman John Gay, who is in Europe until tomorrow, saying the firm had made offers to all landowners affected by the pipeline. Read more here

Mercury Friday
THE price of pulp would have to fall 30 per cent for Gunns Limited not to be able to cover the financing costs of the $2 billion pulp mill, says analyst firm JP Morgan. Read more here

ABC Online Wednesday
A forestry analyst is predicting the Tasmanian Government will grant Gunns’ request for more time to build its proposed northern Tasmanian pulp mill. The timber company has asked for a five-month extension to the construction deadline specified in its $15 million Sovereign Risk Agreement with the Government. Cabinet will consider whether to extend the deadline on June 30 – the day the contract is due to expire. The Premier David Bartlett says he will not be rushed and the decision will be based on facts. Analyst, Robert Eastment says the Government is trying to appear at arm’s length to Gunns and the pulp mill, but he expects the extension will be granted. Read more here

Matthew Denholm Australian (last Saturday)
TASMANIAN Premier David Bartlett has backed away from his willingness to consider expanding forest reserves, telling The Weekend Australian that he now rules it out. Mr Bartlett had suggested he was open to the protection of more forests, even expressing a desire to visit contentious unprotected forests. However, he has now sought to reassure the forestry industry, which had expressed nervousness at the prospect. Read more here

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