You might be forgiven for missing it on the way to Georgetown, but there will be no excuse for not seeing it on your return home.
Behind the power station, stands a brown swathe of denuded hillside, what was, until recently a reserve amd is now the site of the proposed Gunns pulp mill.
You won’t see much from the roadside, the damage has been done internally away from the public eye, but it is clearly visible to the residents, vineyards and farmers of Rowella and the unemployed hopefuls of Georgetown who believe that the mill will miraculously employ them all and provide untold wealth and security, regardless of stated concerns from health professionals, the Australian Medical Association and surrounding councils.
The mill site was, until the Lennon era, a government listed reserve. It was intended to act as a wildlife sanctuary and buffer between the industry at Bell Bay and the residential/farming region of Longreach. The Gunns chip mill at Longreach is the only industry that has invaded the solitude of this region.
The region lost its reserve status when the pulp mill project found legs and friends in political circles.
The clearing of the mill site is an exercise in PR. Legally, Gunns are within their legal rights to clear the site as part of its permit approvals. But more importantly, an apparent attempt is made to convince potential joint venture partners and the people of Georgetown that the mill project is in a state of readiness.
It has cost Gunns relatively little to clear. The brown scab that was once a reserve, is now a statement by Gunns; “We are here! We are ready!”
But the exercise has been futile. Strong opposition, after 5 years, remain. The mill cannot attract financiers, has no access to water. It is still to receive full Commonwealth approval and has divided the community like no other project in Northern Tasmania. It is unlikely to get better, with a world glut of pulp and increasing competition from third world growers, many Gunns employees are staring down the barrel of forced redundancies.
It is ironic, but the number of people that have lost or will lose their jobs due to Gunns activities; the employees, truck drivers, forest contractors etc. will undoubtedly loom larger than any that the mill will employ long term.
Health issues and recreational fishing losses are barely considered in the shadow of job prospects which are as elusive as the Jabberwocky.
Progress, it is argued, is necessary. But not at the cost of health and quality of lifestyle.
If you are hesitant in coming to this Sunday’s TAP forum, (11.30 am) – make the effort. Speak your piece, make your statement and check out the damage done from the Mt George lookout, or simply look south as you pass the golf club on the way home.
Georgetown, Low Head and East Beach are beautiful at this time of year, comparable to Bridport or the East coast.
Enjoy it before it is changed forever.
Tony Saddington, Dilston North
