Premier Bartlett continues to ignore community representation

On Wednesday the 3nd of June, 2010 10:21am ABC News reporter Damien Larkin in a report titled “Bartlett yet to set round table date” that Premier Bartlett has been talking with representatives from the union, non-government conservation organisations and industry stakeholders.

Premier Bartlett continues to ignore community representation that the community be included in the Forestry Round Table as an equal stakeholder. The community has as much to gain and lose from this opportunity for generational change in the management of our forest resources.

The community has an equal and direct role to play in agreeing new core values for Forestry Tasmania, discussing the identification of existing and new markets for our forest resources and the resultant establishment of a reorganisation plan for the industry. Together with establishing the balance between further subsidies for the forestry industry and providing essential services to all Tasmanians. Without this input a new generation of conflict and polarization will continue.

The current adverse effects on small businesses, roads and traffic, continued use of herbicides and aerial spraying, open tendering for all aspects of the forest resources, loss of food production land and the continued loss of townships and services are real community issues; besides the great opportunity for sustainable jobs and the support for new enterprises. These are all issues that are not on the Forestry Round Table agenda and are of great importance to the community. There should be at least a number of Community Meetings in regional areas, at which the Community can express their views, concerns and suggestions.

I strongly urges Premier Bartlett to reconsider the sense of running a closed door meeting with a restricted number of non – community representatives only, being present.

In the same interview ABC News reporter Damien Larkin also quoted the Premier as saying “We believe a clean, world’s best practice technology mill remains part of a forest sector that downstream processes and adds value to every tree that we harvest from a Tasmanian forest,”.

This is an extraordinary statement by Premier Bartlett, given the continued results of many independent run polls were 74 to 84 % of those polled are totally against the STILL proposed pulp mill. It is deceitful of Premier Bartlett to say that every tree is harvested.

Rowella

The STILL proposed project is now nearly six years old, many modern mills are closing world wide – some due to continued pollution concerns, and the reducing demand for paper. The new Botnia mill in Chile, formally managed by the proponents new pulp mill project manager is subject to continued criticism, embargos and demonstrations of up to 50,000 people. The Labor Government, supported by the Liberals, base their continued support for the STILL proposed pulp mill on the “benefit only” assessment undertaken by the proponent plus a still further truncated report by a government selected “independent” assessor.

Premier Bartlett, the Labor and Liberal Parties also say that by parliament passing the Pulp Mill Assessment Act 2007 that democracy has been satisfied and approximately 200 new jobs are involved. However at the time, the RPDC letter to the proponent “ stating that the IIS was “critically deficient” etc, and was held on to by the past Premier Paul Lennon and not made public until after the vote in Parliament. Not a good basis for any project with no formal community involvement.

I and the majority of Tasmanians know that the “clean, world best practise technology “ claim still involves – discharging controversial effluent into the Tamar Valley airshed and Bass Strait. It still involves a large toxic waste dump that the proponent has acknowledged will leak. It still involves a very large chemical factory and a wood fired power station. Plus huge increase in traffic to and from the STILL proposed pulp mill project site. It also involves less funding of our essential services and the promotion of a positive and ethical Tasmania. Six years down the track recycled water, elemental chlorine free, totally FSC certified fibre plantation based, and a holistic independent risk assessment is the basis of a “ modern best practise pulp mill”. The STILL proposed pulp mill is none of these things.

The majority of Tasmanians know that Premier Bartlett knows that there is huge amounts of waste and opportunities (not harvesting) in our forests and timber plantations. During the many state and federal community consultations Tasmanians have told him, and the Prime Minister Mr Kevin Rudd and all Federal and State Ministers about the waste and no pulp mill repeatedly. I, and 400 other Tasmanians personally heard the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd say at the Launceston Community Consultation; after the initial welcome – “WE know you do not want a pulp mill”. The Premier, Ministers and Forestry Tasmania have been shown, many times, direct evidence of 100 year old solid saw wood quality trees either being put aside for destruction or split into pieces for woodchips.

I and the majority of Tasmanians know that the Premier and all politicians have been advised in many consultations, submissions, meetings and in the media that the continuance of his STILL proposed pulp mill project for the last five years is causing a high level of stress in the community.

People are unable to make decisions about their families, businesses, properties and careers. Their lives and businesses are on hold and under stress. Many forestry contractors and businesses owners have stretched themselves, their families and their finances beyond what is sensible waiting for an end or a start of this STILL proposed project. Tasmania’s image, lifestyle, clean green image and brand is being significantly eroded by this STILL proposed project.

See Tamar Valley businesses here: http://tinyurl.com/Busisness-in-Tamar-Valley

I live within the 6 Km radius zone of the STILL proposed pulp mill site ( approximately 500+ households). I personally know that a number of business owners have shelved plans for growth of their businesses and many, many residents and their families will leave this community and beautiful area and may be even Tasmania. Some residents are hurting a lot because they cannot sell their property at any price, some residents can not upscale or downscale their household situation – cannot finalize retirement, separation or a career opportunity – all because of this STILL 5 year old proposed project (with no end in sight) which is a shonky dream and shonky process.

The Tasmanian Government and the Liberal Party must end its support of this project and industry subsidies now. They must start to promote and support the true Tasmanian spirit of community, innovation and growth.

They must end this five-year imposition on people’s lives.

I urge the Premier to listen to the community and end this deceit and the STILL proposed project one way or another now.

I urge readers to phone, write bail up all politicians AGAIN and express your views – to end the deceit, shonky process and the hurt now – to every politician, industry leader and organisation – and let Tasmanians get on with our lives with a positive outlook.

John Day,
Rowella.