The Tasmanian Greens commented on the economic impact report released today by Gunns, as a “benefits only study” into the planned pulp mill.
Greens Forests spokesperson and Member for Bass Kim Booth MP said that today’s release of the study was a desperate attempt by Gunns to shore up support for its unpopular proposal, and said that it was laughable to even pretend that this one sided report meant anything.
“Gunns has had the same tired, old-Monash model done that doesn’t take into account the costs of this project,” Mr Booth said.
“The report is full of assumptions, and setting aside the failure to model costs, the alleged additional jobs projected are just false.”
“If the mill were to be built, the reports own figures say it will provide only 250 jobs on site, which are the only additional forestry jobs available from the project.”
“By the time you take away the jobs at the current chip mill, then the total net jobs picture is probably more like 150, which is about what three or four small businesses create without any demand for subsidies and do not damage the economy in the way that Gunns mill would.”
“Without the assumptions used to produce these figures and a full costs analysis on the damage to other industries, then it is just more meaningless waffle from Gunns Ltd and adds nothing to inform debate.”
“Trotting out yet another “benefits only” study using the same model as before just confirms the community’s fears that the new Gunns is morphing into the old.”
“This once again proves that the leopard doesn’t change its spots,” Mr Booth said.
ABC Online: Pulp mill to deliver $10b to economy: report … HERE
Early ABC reports linked to the actual report here http://www.gunns.com.au/Content/uploads/documents/Building%20a%20Pulp%20Mill%20at%20Bell%20Bay%20Economic%20Impact%20of%20a%20Major%20Investment%20Rep
… but it’s vanished.
