The Great Pipeline Swindle

Stymied by recalcitrant Tamar Valley landowners who are refusing to let the pipeline through their properties, the State Labor Government appears today to have acted at Gunns’ bidding to override any landowners’ or councils’ legal rights, presumably at the bidding of the potential financiers and Joint Venture Partners who need to have a guaranteed water supply to build the pulp mill.

Perhaps this was the vital eye-opener learnt on Michael Aird’s European lapdog trip? Potential investors need foolproof evidence that an unobstructed path for water will be provided for the pulp mill. Recalcitrant landowners and councils are a significant problem. Hence the ad for Draft Planning Directive No.2, to be seen on Page 71 of today’s Mercury.

The ad says:

TASMANIAN PLANNING COMMISSION

Invitation to Make Representation

DRAFT PLANNING DIRECTIVE NO. 2.

UNDERGROUND AND MINOR
ABOVEGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE

Acting under section 11(1)(a) of the Land Use Planning and ApprovalsAct 1993 (the Act) the Minister, the Hon. David Llewellyn MP, has directed the Tasmanian Planning Commission (the Commission) to undertake an assessment of Draft Planning Directive No. 2 – Underground and Minor Aboveground (sic) Infrastructure (the draft Planning Directive).

In accordance with section 12(2)(c) of the Act the Commission gives notice that it is undertaking an assessment of the draft Planning Directive and invites representations.

The draft Planning Directive applies to all planning schemes and provides that a permit is not required for use or development for underground and minor aboveground (sic) infrastructure.

The draft Planning Directive may be inspected at the Commission’s office at Level 3, 144 Macquarie St, Hobart. Alternatively, a copy may be downloaded from the Commission’s web site on:
www.rpdc.tas.gov.au .

Any person may submit a written representation in relation to the draft Planning Directive. Representations must be received by the Commission no later than 4.30pm, Monday 26 October 2009. Please note that all representations will be treated as public documents unless an argument is put to the contrary by the person making the representation and the Commission is satisfied that there are reasons why a representation should remain confidential.

Written representations should be sent to:
Tasmanian Planning Commission
GPO Box 1691, Hobart TAS 7001 or,
Level 3, 144 Macquarie Street,
Hobart TAS 7000

Fax Number: (03) 6233 5400

Email: enquiry.rpdc@justice.tas.gov.au

Greg Alomes
Executive Commissioner

The crucial line is: The draft Planning Directive applies to all planning schemes and provides that a permit is not required for use or development for underground and minor aboveground infrastructure.

So … Bartlett, Aird, Llewellyn (pictured) … the coterie (if that is the right word for toads) continue to erode the planning process to the detriment of the people of Tasmania and in furtherance of the Great Cargo-cult God of the pulpmill.

I suggest this is the first underground step in the great pipeline swindle. Which is not justice.tas.gov.au !