Mill approved: Chronicle of a death foretold

The Federal Government has given final environmental approval for the Gunns pulp mill.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has approved the final permits, but has also imposed new conditions on the project; relating to plantation timber and a reduced use of chlorine.

But as businessman Geoff Cousins said on ABC Radio this morning:

“If Gunns think there has been any lessening of opposition to the mill in the local communities and indeed in the community generally, they are greatly mistaken.

“But no one believes him,” Mr Cousins said, adding the statements had to be tested in the public arena.

And, who can trust the Federal or State Labor governments?

The Australian report, HERE
Mercury HERE
ABC Online, HERE

Gunns Share Price (currently in trading halt)

Gunns says …

Integrated forestry company Gunns Limited (ASX: GNS) today announced the Federal Government had granted the final environmental approvals for the proposed Bell Bay Pulp Mill.

Please refer to links below for full announcement and related documents.

http://www.gunns.com.au/Content/uploads/documents/ASX%20Media%20Release.pdf

http://www.gunns.com.au/Content/uploads/documents/Copy%20of%20letter%20from%20Minister%20Burke.pdf

http://www.gunns.com.au/Content/uploads/documents/Background%20Information%20regarding%20ECF%20Light%20and%20Plantation%20Feedstock.pdf

http://www.gunns.com.au/Content/uploads/documents/Short%20summary%20of%20EPBC%20approval%20March%202011.pdf

http://www.gunns.com.au/Content/uploads/documents/Summary%20and%20Overview%20of%20Bell%20Bay%20Pulp%20Mill%20environmental%20monitoring%20regime%20Feb%202011.pdf

http://www.gunns.com.au/Content/uploads/documents/Summary%20of%20Hydrodynamic%20Modelling%20for%20Bell%20Bay%20Pulp%20Mill%20March%202011.pdf

Greg L’Estrange, Managing Director

THE REACTION:

Lucy Landon-Lane: Pulp the Mill conducted an underwater action this Tuesday at Tenth Island, which is situated 10 kms downstream form the effluent dispersal point. There is a colony of protected Australian fur seals on Tenth Island and a myriad of fish living amongst the kelp gardens. Braving waters that are a well known feeding ground for the rare great white pointer shark, three divers photographed the seals innocently playing in these pristine waters while their future was decided by the Federal Minister for the Environment.

GUNNS BELIEVE OWN PULP MILL WILL FAIL NOISE CONDITIONS

The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Premier to rule out any intervention on behalf of Gunns, following claims their proposed pulp mill for the Tamar Valley will fail the noise limit conditions placed on the permit, and that the company is seeking to have the permit levels changed.

Greens Forests spokesperson Kim Booth MP also raised critical areas that have gone unassessed such as impacts on coastal fisheries and associated health impacts.

“Gunns knows that the proposed pulp mill won’t meet noise level requirements as set in the permit, and that is why it is critical that the Premier rules out any intervention from the EPA or any other Department on behalf of Gunns to enable any relaxation of permit requirements,” Mr Booth said.

“Additional to the few areas covered by the state permits, are other critical areas which have not been assessed.”

“For example, the community’s health remains vulnerable due to the level of persistent organic pollutants in the mill discharge which will include dioxins, furans and sterols, all of which are some of the deadliest known poisons.”

“The federal study, which despite taking two years by an expert panel headed by Australia’s chief scientist, has not assessed the effect on any of the state coastal waters within the three mile limit including the dumping zone.”

“These toxic substances are some of the most dangerous poisons known to man. They build up in the food chain and what the Premier has done is walked away from her responsibilities to protect the health of Tasmanian families who have caught fish for generations.”

“Given the absence of independent assessment of critical areas, including marine and health impacts, the Premier should admit that this project should not proceed and act on that accordingly,” Mr Booth said.

BURKE FAILS TAMAR VALLEY
Greens Stand Firm With Community Against Gunns’ Toxic Pulp Mill
Kim Booth MP
Greens Forestry spokesperson

The Tasmanian Greens today described Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke’s decision to grant the remaining permits for the Gunns’ Ltd pulp mill project as a travesty for the Tamar Valley and have vowed to maintain their opposition to the proposal.

Greens Forestry spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that had Minister Burke taken his responsibilities seriously he would have laughed Gunns out of the room and back into a proper, comprehensive and rigorous independent assessment process.

“Tony Burke has failed the people of the Tamar Valley, and he has failed our marine and coastal environments,” Mr Booth said.

“It is gobsmacking that the Minister succumbed to an obvious ‘brer-rabbit’ style stunt from the company, supposedly requesting difficulties to be put in place to access the blackberry bush.”

“If this revised project is so benign, then why is Gunns’ so scared of submitting it to a proper independent and comprehensive assessment process?”

“If Gunns were serious about ensuring the mill had appropriate conditions and met community expectations, they would not have pulled it from the rigorous RPDC process three years ago, and they would also be demanding that assessments be conducted in the critical areas still left unassessed, including impacts on coastal waters and the Tamar Valley air shed.”

“What kind of so-called Environment Minister pretends as if there is a meaningful line between federal waters and state coastal waters? The proposed mill’s effluent will not make a distinction between the two.”

“The Elemental Chlorine free light technology will still pump organoclorines into the marine environment where we know they will bioaccumulate in the food chain, and the fish that many Tasmanians eat.”

“The corrupt Tasmanian Parliamentary fast track approval has left the health and safety of Tasmanians under threat and we will stand shoulder-to-shoulder in demonstrating against this perfidy.”

“The Greens do not support this mill and we will pursue our Pulp Mill Assessment Repeal Bill in the State Parliament. I urge all outraged Tasmanians to get in touch with their state Labor and Liberal members and demand that they vote in support of the Greens’ Bill, and in support of the Tamar Valley community,” Mr Booth said.

Senator Christine Milne:

The Australian Greens today reaffirmed their opposition to the Gunns Tamar Valley Pulp Mill and vowed to support the Tasmanian community in its ongoing efforts to protect the environment and stop the mill.

“Everyone knows that the approval process for this mill was totally corrupt and instead of legitimising it, the Federal Government should have demanded that the proponents resubmit their final proposal to a proper assessment process.” Senator Christine Milne said today.

“Instead of giving Gunns the green light, the federal government should have backed the community in demanding rigorous analysis of the whole project especially since the Tasmanian government has proved to be such a company quisling.

“The people of the Tamar Valley do not want this mill and it has no social licence to operate.

“Potential joint venture partners need to be aware that the community is determined never to see this mill built in the Tamar Valley.

“The site was never justified in terms of atmospheric pollution or dispersion and dilution of pollution into Bass Strait”

“Atmospheric inversion in the Tamar Valley in winter will trap the pollution from the stacks and a great big stench will descend over the whole area when fugitive rotten egg gas emissions contaminate the air.

“Noise remains a big issue as this mill will operate 24 hours a day, and Gunns knows it cannot meet its noise level requirements.

“Having promised a chlorine free mill, ECF light will still deliver organochlorines into the marine environment where they will bioaccumulate in the food chain.

“Monitoring after the event is no substitute for not having the mill there in the first place,” Senator Milne said.

Surfrider Foundation Australia:

MEDIA RELEASE: TASSIE PULP MILL
DATE: 10 March 2011

Federal Minister for the Environment Tony Burke today handed down his final approval of the marine modules for Gunns Ltd’s proposed Pulp Mill in Northern Tasmania, which allows Gunns Ltd to dump up to 51 billion litres per annum of industrial waste into the healthy waters of Bass Strait, close to popular surfing breaks, world famous scuba diving areas and recreational fishing spots. The area is also known for its rich marine biodiversity, including local seal colonies and marine invertebrate populations.

“Gunn’s has today announced a new bleaching process in a plan to reduce the risks to Bass Strait marine life, but there is still dilution concerns and another 150 chemicals of interest in this waste that we want to know more about” said Peter Whish-Wilson, National Director of the Surfrider Foundation Australia.

“Today is a very concerning day for those who use and love the north coast of Tasmania, especially surfers who chase the long point break waves from George Town to Tamo Shanter Bay” .

The Surfrider Foundation has been actively engaged as a stakeholder in the Federal EPBC Pulp Mill Assessment process, meeting government ministers and the Commonwealth chief scientist to express its concerns about the potential risks to coastal amenity and local marine life in Tasmanian State Waters.

“Sadly, we never received any feedback about these concerns submitted in a 68 page scientific document to the Tasmanian RPDC (Resource Planning and Development Committee) in 2006”.

Once due process through the RPDC was abandoned for a Lennon Labor Government fast track assessment process, a thorough investigation of the risks and impacts of this industrial waste to state government waters, including our surf breaks, has never been conducted to our knowledge. The Tasmanian Labor Governments fast track approval process, and the consequent risks to coastal amenity still remains unacceptable to many local users of this coast,” said Mr Whish-Wilson.

“It’s absolutely critical that people understand Tony Burkes EPBC announcement today, and the Gunn’s Ltd ocean effluent study, only assess the potential impacts on Commonwealth Waters, many kilometers out from our beaches. What about the inshore areas and coast?” said Mr Whish-Wilson.

“Environment groups have been seeking documents relating to the Gunn’s Ltd ocean outfall study for months, were not sure of the reasons for the delay but hopefully they are available for public scrutiny today”.

“The Surfrider Foundation will study and research the Gunn’s Ltd study thoroughly to assess any future risks to the coastline. As coastal custodians we will fight any potential marine outfall tooth and nail if it poses any risks to our beautiful beaches, waves and marine life” Mr Whish-Wilson concluded.

Surfrider has a strong and active branch of Tasmanian surfers dedicated to protecting the waves and beaches of the Apple Isle.

Peter Whish-Wilson
Surfrider Foundation Tasmania
More on the Surfrider Foundation Australia
www.surfrider.org.au

Pulp the Mill – Peaceful Protest
Sunday 20th March at 11:30am

EVENT PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195204550512919

Join Peter Cundall, Richard Flanagan, Kim Booth and spokespeople from anti-pulp mill groups at a peaceful community protest at GUNNS’ PROPOSED PULP MILL SITE.

Time: Due to parking logistics and the time you will need to walk into the protest site, we encourage you to arrive no later than 10.30 for an 11.30 start on Sunday 20th March.

Directions: Drive past the Batman Bridge turnoff on the East Tamar highway, and pass the two parking areas designated by marshals. Continue till you arrive at the drop off zone where we will assemble together before walking onto the site. All areas will be clearly designated by marshals. PLEASE DROP OFF PASSENGERS AT THE CLEARLY MARKED DROP OFF ZONE, THEN RETURN TO PARK YOUR CAR IN THE DESIGNATED PARKING AREAS. Buses will pick you up from these areas to drop you off at the gate. Please be extra mindful of traffic.

See the map below for details.

MAP: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7758984690&v=photos#!/photo.php?fbid=10150105231061583&set=o.7758984690&theater

Transport: There will be buses coming from Hobart and Launceston. For others, car-pooling is strongly encouraged due to parking restrictions. Bus bookings are essential, see bus arrangements below.

What to bring: Sturdy shoes for the 1 km walk along rough track to the protest area, water, snacks, a folding chair if you wish. BYO banners and placards. Please: No babies, children under 16 or dogs

An important note: Gunns recently told Southern Cross that they do not mind the public visiting the pulp mill site, so we think it is extremely unlikely that Gunns’ will ask the police to move us on. However, we will be on Gunns’ land without permission and, therefore, trespassing. Last time we went on site Gunns’ told police not to arrest us (it would not benefit their cause). IF we are asked to move on, it will be up to individuals to decide if they will comply with the order. Failure to comply may result in arrest. IF we are prevented from actually entering the site we have a plan “B” which does not involve trespass

The policy of no children under 16 at the rally has been lifted, children are welcome at the protest, however we insist that parents keep children under close supervision.

Pulp The Mill have your children’s interest at heart, and wish to raise the following safety issues to prevent any mishaps

● Please keep in mind that we are trespassing on Gunns’ land, and in the unlikely event that police give an order to move off site, those that don’t within a given time frame are liable for arrest

We look forward to seeing you on the day,

Pulp The Mill

Many thanks, Pulp the Mill Working Group
(Please note: we will be taking donations on the day to contribute to the cost of the event)

The second Protest Plan
No Pulp Mill Public Meeting, Tailrace Centre, Launceston. Tuesday, 29th March 7.30.
FRIENDS OF THE TAMAR VALLEY PRESENT A ‘NO PULP MILL’ PUBLIC MEETING. TAILRACE CENTRE, LAUNCESTON, TUESDAY MARCH 29 2011 7.30PM. ENTRY FREE. ALL WELCOME.

SPEAKERS
DR QUENTIN BERESFORD is a Professor of Politics at Edith Cowan University, Perth WA: Dr Beresford will speak on Pulp Mill Politics and Corruption – Quentin will be discussing his recent research paper: “Corporations, Government and Development: The Case of Institutional Corruption in Tasmania’, AJPS Vol 45 No 2 2010”.This paper outlines a case for “Institutional Corruption” (or what Quentin refers to as “Crony Capitalism”) in Tasmania with specific focus on the Pulp Mill Assessment Process and the role of Paul Lennon and the Tasmanian Government’s relationship to Tasmanian businesses.

SENATOR CHRISTINE MILNE: Pulp Mill Economics – “The proposed Tamar Valley mill makes no economic, environmental or social sense – as the sign says wrong way: go back:” Senator Christine Milne is no stranger to the threat that poorly planned pulp mill developments poses for Tasmania’s economy. In 1987 she led the successful community campaign against the proposed Wesley Vale pulp mill, which threatened the prime agricultural land of Tasmania’s North-West. Since being elected to parliament she has never stopped working for a jobs-rich sustainable Tasmanian economy based on it’s natural assets, which is why she coined the phrase of ‘clean, green and clever’ as a state brand

STEVE BIDDULPH: – “Stress, activism, and the fight for a better world”. The struggle to save the Tamar Valley, and the larger struggle worldwide for a survivable future, has been a costly one. When governments don’t do their job of proper planning, it causes a great deal of suffering for ordinary citizens. Health, happiness, family wellbeing and financial security all are harmed. Steve Biddulph has been a psychologist for 30 years. Married into a large Tasmanian family he has lived and worked here since the 1970’s. He was voted Australian Father of the Year for his work in encouraging the role of fathers. His books including Raising Boys and The New Manhood are in four million homes and 27 languages worldwide. The UK Guardian called him “A cross between Billy Connolly and Doctor Spock”.

Links to Transcripts, Audio of Cousins, Brown, Milne, Burke …

The transcript of Geoffrey Cousins speaking with Fran Kelly on RN Breakfast yesterday
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/breakfast/stories/2011/3159943.htm

Here is the raw footage of Bob Brown and Christine Milne’s press conference on the mill.

And Tony Burke’s speech
http://www.abc.net.au/hobart/?ref=portal_m10

Cousins Transcript

This transcript was typed from a recording of the program. The ABC cannot guarantee its complete accuracy because of the possibility of mishearing and occasional difficulty in identifying speakers.

Fran Kelly: After seven years, concerted community opposition and an aborted State Government assessment process and two failed legal challenges, the Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, is expected to today give the green light for the proposed Gunns pulp mill in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley. But businessman, Geoffrey Cousins, who’s helped lead the fight against the $2.5 billion project says that, while it may get a legal license to operate, Gunns still doesn’t have a social license. And he’s predicting a campaign of direct action, bigger than the protest that saved the Franklin River in the early 80s. Geoffrey Cousins is a Director of Telstra and Chair of the St James Ethics Foundation. He joins you from his home in Sydney. Geoffrey Cousins, welcome back to Breakfast.

Geoffrey Cousins: Yes, thank you very much.

Fran Kelly: Geoffrey Cousins, what are you expecting from the Minister, Tony Burke, today? Finally, will be it be all systems go for the Gunns pulp mill?

Geoffrey Cousins: Well, it’s really been all systems go in that sense for the Gunns pulp mill for quite a while. You might remember it was Malcolm Turnbull, some years ago, who gave the license for Gunns to build the mill, if you will. This is just the final step, the license to operate it. But that isn’t the license they need. What’s held this project up is money – the fact that nobody wants to fund it, the fact that nobody wants to partner it. And it’s had all the Government approvals it could possibly have along the way, and they weren’t enough to get it over the lines. So today is really not a particularly relevant one.

Fran Kelly: Well, today is relevant in the sense that the Federal Government did put some more limits on Gunns. It had to come back and satisfy several other areas to get the final permits: things like proving the impact from emissions and effluent to the coastal waters and the impact on that. Those sorts of questions have now been answered, haven’t they?

Geoffrey Cousins: Well, the irony in this Fran, is that in fact the Minister was going to approve this without stricter conditions. And it was Gunns who asked for a delay of a week so that more stringent conditions could be put into the license.

Fran Kelly: But even going back before that, I mean Peter Garrett insisted that Gunns answer those questions about marine modelling of the Bass Strait, to prove no unacceptable impacts. Those questions presumably have been answered by now?

Geoffrey Cousins: Well, presumably, as far as the Government’s concerned, they have. But you’ve got to remember that the Federal Government originally approved this mill on a basis which Gunns now say would be inappropriate. The company says it would be inappropriate. They say they can cut the chlorine levels in the mill by up to 40%. They say they can deal with odours and other things. And yet, at the time that Turnbull gave that approval, all of this was impossible. So nobody believes this company and nobody really believes that either the State or Federal Governments have looked at this project properly. And there’s no way Gunns are ever going to get the social license to operate, which is what they need, unless there’s a proper public hearing.

Fran Kelly: Now, the Premier of Tasmania says there has been rigorous assessment of this mill. She says there’s been 38 permits required by this project, assessed against some of the toughest criteria available at the time. There’s an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of this and a Federal process imposed across this pulp mill. The Federal Government has asked and had some questions answered. I guess the question has to be asked of you and other opponents to this mill, what would make you happy? Or will you never be happy if there’s a pulp mill there in the Tamar Valley?

Geoffrey Cousins: No, not at all. And I said from day one ,that when that public hearing process in Tasmania was arbitrarily closed down, because Gunns said at the time, if it goes on any longer it will cost us a million dollars a day, and if there’s a delay of a couple of months, the mill can never be built. That’s over three years ago. So, according to them, by now it must have cost over a billion dollars in delays and there’s no way the mill can be built. So there was no truth in that statement. There was no truth in the statement where the former chairman, John Gay, said initially that he would build a mill that was chlorine free and used only plantation timber. Then they went back and said, no they couldn’t do that. It had to be a chlorine based mill. Now they’re saying they can cut the chlorine by 40%. The fact is, both the State and Federal Governments haven’t really cared about this project. They approved it on a basis that Gunns now say is no good. So, all of these conflicting statements have been made over a very long period of time. And, as I say, if the company wants to get the social license to operate – which it says it does want – I met with the Chief Executive of Gunns, in a face-to-fact meeting a few months ago. And I think he is trying to do better things. Gunns have said now, they won’t log native forest any more. Now, they said before that was impossible. Now they say they will do it. They said they can reduce the chlorine level by up to 40%. Previously they said that was impossible. I think Greg L’Estrange, the CEO, is trying to do good things. But no one believes him. Those statements have got to be tested in the public arena.

Fran Kelly: So, you’re calling for another public hearing process?

Geoffrey Cousins: There’s got to be a proper public hearing process if they want to get that social license to operate. And they have to get it. They need it. No respectable bank is going to fund them. You might remember the ANZ Bank, the long term bankers to Gunns over many, many years, refused to finance this mill. No one wants to get involved in a project where they know there’s going to be great social unrest if somebody tries to push it ahead.

Fran Kelly: Gunns have said that it hopes to have joint venture finance to begin construction within the next three months. I suppose that’s there business. Are you saying, is there a threat being made here that if Gunns gets its finance and gets its permits and gets the tick from the Federal Government today, that there will be great social unrest unless it agrees to a public hearing process.

Geoffrey Cousins: There’s certainly no question about it. And, you know, these statements from Gunns, why the Stock Exchange hasn’t pulled them up on these statements – how many times, Fran, if you go back and Google Gunns, will you see statements from the Chairman or the CEO saying, we’ll have the finance within a couple of months, we’ll be announcing the joint venture partner within a couple of months? I can’t tell you how many times those statements have been made over the years. Not one of them has ever proved to be true.

Fran Kelly: So, are you, as an opponent of this mill, talking to the locals in the Tamar Valley and environment groups in Tasmania about a protest campaign? Are you threatening to go to the barricades?

Geoffrey Cousins: Well, you know, I personally, yes, I’m talking to all of those people all the time. My method of operating hasn’t been to go to the barricades, it’s been to use the skills I have in the corporate world and go to the shareholders and the financiers and people like that. And that’s had some impact. But I can tell you that if Gunns think there’s been any lessening of opposition to this mill in the local communities and indeed in the community generally, they are greatly mistaken and in fact the level has gone up. When we started this campaign, a lot of people in Tasmania had the feeling, you can’t beat Gunns. Now, the general community has the feeling, we’ve beaten them. So, if anything, that opposition has stiffened over the years.

Fran Kelly: Geoffrey Cousins, thank you very much for joining us.

Geoffrey Cousins: Thank you.

Fran Kelly: Geoffrey Cousins is a businessman and final approval for the Gunns pulp mill is expected today from the Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke.

DAVE GROVES: Special Edition; The Exaggatorial, HERE
And Karl Stevens’ Special Edition of The Exaggerator