In July 2008 Premier Bartlett made that historic announcement of a “line in the sand” on government assistance for Gunns’ proposed pulp mill – just months after signing of the sovereign risk agreement, intended to ensure construction went ahead on schedule.
This agreement was repeatedly extended and finally cancelled by agreement, making it a remarkably flimsy risk insurance document. In further government support, a minister went to Japan to tout the project and massive financial support has gone to the industry as a whole – or should that be hole?
The Dilston bypass project suggests a huge increase in traffic is expected, presumably due to the pulp mill, yet locals had to fight for a design which would ensure safety for all road users. In an unprecedented action of forward planning, sufficient land was compulsorily acquired, apparently in case a four-lane highway is needed in the future.
But now that contingency plan has been overturned, as the excess land has gone to Gunns – land which the landowner had previously refused to sell to the company – for the pipeline.
So government support continues, in spite of the Premier’s promise and against the wishes of so many, demonstrating an abysmal lack responsibility.
And in the lead up to the federal election, all Liberal and Labor politicians can say is “the pulp mill is no longer an issue”!
