Dear Editor,
Gunns spokesman, Matt Horan, referring to the Gunns 20 case, is quoted in the Mercury (14/12) as saying; “We took action against people for allegedly breaking into Gunns property and damaging equipment in the process”.
Horan’s statement seriously misrepresents those involved in the case and I advise him to be more careful before making any further comment.
I was involved in the case as defendant 19. The facts of my case are presented here for comparison with Mr Horan’s claim.
In 2001 I was approached by a woman who raised the possibility of health risks associated with the woodchip piles on Burnie wharf. That woman, who seemed intelligent and well informed, prompted me to make my own inquiries. Included in her concerns was that some Burnie locals had, that year, been very seriously ill, affected by the Legionella bacterium which grows in decomposing wood and which can travel many kilometers in aerosolised droplets and dust.
Dismay was expressed that public health and environment authorities had not looked into the potential problem with more rigor.
After outlining my reasons I called, on WIN television and in a media release, for an independent assessment of the piles. As a result of this call Gunns were asked to investigate the matter further.
A microbiologist, on behalf of Gunns, assessed the piles and did not find Legionella in the samples taken.
Subsequently I was sued for defamation. I was simply taking an advocate’s stance on behalf of Burnie citizens.
My legal team arranged for an expert review of the report produced for Gunns. The review was carried out by world authority Dr Trevor Steele, who was first to discover that Legionella species grow in decomposing wood.
It was strongly critical of the earlier report.
Dr Steele states ; “To claim that the sacrificial layer did not contain Legionella on the basis of 2 small samples is misleading”……”partly composted chips are highly likely to contain large numbers of virulent Legionellae”…..”dispersal of dust and aerosols containing these organisms could pose a significant health risk”.
Seven and a half years and around $80,000 in legal fees later my case was resolved in an out of court settlement. I paid Gunns no money.
The Burnie woodchip piles are now being investigated by the health department.
The Steele Report can be read in full at www.gunns20.org.
PS. I CONSIDER MR HORAN’S QUOTE TO BE DEFAMATORY. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS LETTER WITH GARRY BAILEY. I THINK I AM BEING REASONABLE TO ASK FOR RIGHT OF REPLY WITHOUT CENSORSHIP.
