*Pic: ABC picture of log trucks lined up to enter Triabunna woodchip mill during a protest against woodchipping. Graeme Wood was quoted on ABC Radio as saying no trucks would be allowed to enter the landlocked chip site …
Environmentalist and Wotif founder Graeme Wood says his investment in the Triabunna woodchip mill is uncertain unless there is more government support.
Mr Wood and his business partner Jan Cameron bought the mill in 2011 from former timber company Gunns and plan to develop it as a tourism hub.
The acquisition and dismantling of the mill is being investigated by a parliamentary committee.
Mr Wood told 936 ABC Hobart his investment in Triabunna was uncertain because the Government could still compulsorily acquire the site.
He said the inquiry was petty and was a disincentive to more investment in the state.
“There is an air of uncertainty hanging over the venture at the moment,” he said.
“We are getting mixed messages coming out of the Government.
“On the one hand they are saying tourism is terrific and on the other hand the Premier won’t rule out compulsory acquisition of the Spring Bay mill site.
“The Premier has not ruled out the possibility of (acquiring) the site, so from a pure business investment point of view, how much am I going to invest in it to have it all torn up.”
Mr Wood said the Government played favourites when it came to tourism projects in Tasmania.
“It seems to me, if you’re not a favourite of the incumbent government then they will stand in the way of what you might want to do.
“I invest in lots of places and I’ve got to say that trying to invest in Tasmania you endure a lot of friction.
“I’m not rushing into anything until I see stronger political support or at least not negative political attitudes.”
Mr Wood had offered to appear before the committee but was told by the chairman, Liberal MP Guy Barnett, that the offer had come too late.
The Government said it would not rule out compulsory acquisition because it did not want to pre-empt the inquiry’s outcome.
Read more here, including more ABC coverage of the inquiry, videos etc
• TT MEDIA HERE … as UNHCR launches biggest aid push in a decade, Peter Coad asks, Are Huon Valley Council policies costing jobs?, a Candlelit vigil for the French Journalists arrested in West Papua etc, etc … and as Paul Harriss waters down trespass laws, he announces a new mine and the Environmental Defender’s Office announces a mining law workshop today (Wed) …
• John Hayward, in Comments: Many must be busting to hear Guy’s explanation of exactly why it’s “too late” to hear Graeme Wood’s testimony. For that matter, it would be fascinating to hear why a chronic economic haemorrhage like woodchipping is so essential to the Tas economy.
• Will Hodgman: Tassie’s Tourism Industry Expresses Interest The Liberal Government is committed to building on our competitive strengths, especially tourism. We have set the target of attracting 1.5 million visitors to our state every year by 2020, which the industry says will create 8,000 jobs. We’re already seeing encouraging signs with a record 51,700 tourists travelling from our major Asia markets in the year to June according to the Australian International Visitor Survey.
• Pilko, in Comments: After the 2006 SE Asian tsunami Thais & Indo’s were rebuilding within a day. By the time i visited Thailand 12 months later there was almost no sign of the Tsunami’s effect. Locals are up 4am & working all day. Rebuilding. If they don’t get on with it, they earn no money & they live on the street, die. Its 3 years since a decrepit failed Tasmanian woodchip mill was sold privately. Yet today the Tasmanian Government continues to facilitate a process, a debate, a pity party that refuses to let go of that mill. A handful of local vested interests in Triabunna & Southern Tasmania are waiting for the government to intervene & buy them back the mill, rebuild it & start woodchipping again with that good old taxpayer safety net. In the process the Tasmanian Government risks driving out the new owner – one of Australia’s most successful businessmen. People ask why the Tasmanian economy is a basket case.
