Tasmanians Against the Pulp Mill TAP, Wilderness Society, Environmnt Tasmania
Continued community opposition means pulp mill a bad investment
Concerned members of the public and groups opposed to Gunns’ pulp mill today gathered on the site of the proposed mill to send a message to potential investors and joint venture partners that the pulp mill has no social licence, is opposed by the majority of Australians and represents a bad investment.
Participants arrived at the pulp mill site by boat to unfurl a huge 60-metre long banner that read “NO PULP MILL”, in an act that signals ongoing protest and community opposition to Gunns’ environmentally destructive project.
“As far as I am concerned the struggle to stop this polluting pulp mill is far from over and we will never stop until it is off the agenda and no longer a threat to Tasmania’s future,” said local resident, gardening personality and 2009 Australian of the Year nominee Peter Cundall.
“Local jobs and economic opportunities will be lost if Gunns’ pulp mill goes ahead,” said Anne Layton-Bennett, spokesperson for TAP. “The community will continue to do whatever they can to protect their livelihoods and health.”
Recent reports indicate Gunns may be getting closer to announcing the details of financiers and a joint venture partner and that components of the pulp mill have begun arriving in Tasmania.
“All major banks in Australia have seen good reason to walk away from Gunns’ pulp mill,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for The Wilderness Society. “This is a high risk, environmentally destructive proposal with no social licence and no company serious about sustainability should touch it.”
“Gunns, along with any joint venture partner, would have access to our native forest and water resources for decades to come, locking in the community conflict we see today and removing options for our children to have a say in their future,” said Dr Phill Pullinger, Director of Environment Tasmania.
