Stink over bumper sticker

JUDITH KING

“Some 2600 tourism related businesses in Launceston and the Tamar Valley and more than 2000 jobs are threatened by foul and toxic smells from Gunns’ mill,” she said.

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STINK OVER BUMPER STICKER

TAP Into A Better Tasmania spokesman Mrs Judith King said today that the bumper sticker ‘I no longer shop @ Gunns’ reflects the deep anger, fear and frustration by many over the threats to their health, and their jobs that are posed by Gunns’ planned pulp mill.

“Some 2600 tourism related businesses in Launceston and the Tamar Valley and more than 2000 jobs are threatened by foul and toxic smells from Gunns’ mill,” she said.

The fugitive odours that are produced by all kraft pulp mills are toxic, highly flammable gases. They have offensive odours that smell like a mix of stale sewage, rotting cabbage, rotten egg gas and burning rubber, and which cause headaches and nausea in most people who are exposed to them for long periods.

These odours will spread up to 60km away from Long Reach to include Launceston, Deloraine, Longford and Bridport.

Germany’s Stendhal kraft mill – half the size of Gunns’ proposal – was “odour-free” for 12 months, but after 18 months angry neighbours were complaining of foul smells because the mill had developed odour problems for which there is no solution. This is a problem that worsens in all kraft mills with age as thousands of pipe seals continue to degrade, leaking foul-smelling gases.

All businesses in the region are at risk, as is the quality of life of every person living there.

“In light of this fact perhaps Gunns retail manager, Mr Legro could explain to tourism and related industries that depend on Tasmania’s clean brand how the Gunns’ Board decision to site the mill in the Tamar Valley does not threaten thousands of existing jobs, as well as the good health of every single person in the community,” said Mrs King.

Website: www.tapvision.info