While pro-millers argue on TT as to whether works-without-a-permit are legal unless a judge says it’s not, Code Green have again stepped into the breach.
While Gunns wait for the Dams Management Committee to rubber stamp their days-old application for permits for three dams, illegal work continues on the project site. It is agreed by all that the permits (WM1,2,3 &4) did expire last month and it is public knowledge that earthworks have since begun – on the very ground which is the subject of Gunns’ application.
Meanwhile we wait for the EPA’s Director, Alex Schaap, to deliver another rubber stamp. We know ‘The Pulp Mill Permit’ has expired due to want of substantial commencement of the Project, but apparently, he does not. Last month he told us that he didn’t have the time to waste on considerations as to the pulp mill project’s permits being expired or not. Changed his tune, didn’t he, when he and Gunns realised they’d allowed the 4 Water Management Permits to expire.
Where is the government in all this? Somewhere in Gunns’ pocket … same old, same old. And so while we wait for Gunns, the EPA, DPIPWE and the politicians to find more ways to reward the oligarchs, Code Green steps into the breach. They are doing what many promised.
As I write, some have been cut from the machines and taken by police to George Town. I’m going to go up there now. While I drive I will be thinking of Ali who is in Risdon, because one day seven years ago Gunns’ John Gay and Labor’s Paul Lennon sat down to have a ‘business lunch’ … and inflicted these many years of dissent and division on us.
The pulp mill is a bad idea. We are not the criminals – it is these men of money and power in this state who will not accept the will of the majority of us in the community – it is they who are responsible for this mess. Let the govt govern and put a stop to this mill. Let there be a Commission of Inquiry!
– Garry Stannus
The Code Green MRs and Vigil Mr are on the item, HERE
• Code Green: Media Update: 9 Protesters arrested at Gunns Ltd’s pulp mill site at Longreach.
9 protesters from the direct action group Code Green were arrested this morning at Gunns Ltd’s pulp mill site at Longreach.
8 conservationists had locked themselves to machinery and 1 conservationist, fulfilling a duty of care role, remained on site after being asked to leave by police.
Dinah Too, Emma Capp, Lauren Canpbell, Nishant Datt, Brendi Pattenden, Ceci Edwards and 3 other protesters were arrested at approximately 11.45am and taken to the Georgetown police station where they were charged.
After days of actions at the front gate, the group entered the site to bear witness to and monitor the continuation of the contentious works and take precautionary measures to prevent any further interference with the evidence of lack of substantial commencement.
“The government and regulatory bodies remain stubbornly unwilling to ensure due process is observed and Gunns Ltd are accountable for their illegal construction.” Spokesperson for the group Jared Irwin said this afternoon. “Instead we see the government throwing more tax payer funding towards Gunns Ltd.”
“Gunns are renown for their blatant and demonstrable disregard for due process, social cohesion and ecological integrity. Communities who are bereft after years of having their state run by Gunns’ industrial forestry agenda.”
The arrest of 9 members of Code Green this morning, together with the remand of two members last week demonstrate Code Green’s commitment to taking non violent direct action to support community groups and members of the Tamar Valley community who continue to oppose the pulp mill.
