Triabunna Investments notes the media reports that the Tasmanian Government is considering holding a Parliamentary Inquiry into the transformation of the Triabunna site. We also note there is continued media interest in this story.
We wish to put on the record some key facts that provide context for the story.
Gunns had closed Triabunna months before we acquired the mill.
The mill was maintained in working condition for two years and was made available to be reopened through a tender process. No economically viable tender was received mainly because it was not possible to find timber supply outside the agreed reserved areas – so Gunns’ decision to shut the mill was based on sound market analysis.
Triabunna Investments’ legal requirement under the Environmental Protection Notice issued by the Environment Protection Authority was to begin decommissioning and rehabilitation of the site if woodchipping had ceased for two years. July 2013 was the trigger for that event. A Decommissioning and Rehabilitation Plan was submitted to the EPA and accepted on 18 October 2013.
The rehabilitation process included stabilisation of land surfaces, removal of any contamination and decommissioning and removal of any equipment surplus to requirements.
The decommissioning process began in October 2013. All our staff acted in a lawful and professional manner in the decommissioning process and they have gone out of their way to work with the local community to plan a future for the site.
Detailed planning for the development of the site is well under way.
Contracts for professional services have been entered into.
We are looking to the future
We want Spring Bay Mill transformed from a defunct mill to an international tourism venture that will put this wonderful state on the international map and further develop the tourist potential of Tasmania’s East Coast.
We want a return on our investment and to create jobs in Tasmania.
That is what the local community want.
The proposed Parliamentary Inquiry will cost Tasmanians hundreds of thousands of dollars but won’t create one new job.
It also runs the risk of scaring off investment in Tasmania. The not-so-subtle message it sends is ‘if we don’t like your political leanings we will obstruct your commercial ambitions’.
• Rebecca White: Guy Barnett’s true motivations revealed
• Cassy O’Connor: Liberals intent on witch hunt over solutions to Triabunna
• Gordon Bradbury, in Comments: Can we please move on? This is prehistoric news. Why must we keep regurgitating the past? Let’s stop chewing old bones and start inventing a bright new future. Please! • Pete Godfrey, in Comments: So there you have it, no need for a parliamentary enquiry is there. Bloke Barnet just has to ask the EPA and they can show him the requirements and paper work. Hey presto lot of money saved, lots of seat wear saved and the government can get on with what it does best. Procrastinating. • John Hayward, in Comments: The Libs are already spending an extra $4.5b p.a. to project their tough-guy image by imprisoning asylum seekers overseas, not counting the additional $4,3m for Tony’s new spin dept. Whatever Guy and the Libs spend of our money hunting woodchip snarks will be a modest increase to their uncapped budget for their political survival. These are but a few of the virtues of selfishness.
MEANWHILE,
• AMA responds to government’s wage freeze consideration The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Tasmania has come out against a move by the Tasmanian Government to consider a wage freeze for all public servants, saying it threatens the future of the public hospital medical workforce in Tasmania.
EARLIER on Tasmanian Times:
• Triabunna woodchip mill destruction: State Government pushes for inquiry
• Liberal Cadart stands firm on his grand vision
• Bertrand’s ‘bogans’ riles locals
• Paul Harriss: Greens MPs split on radical environmentalists
• Paul Harriss: Light shed on the radicals Labor conspired with to destroy our forest industry
• Jan Davis: You have to draw a line in the sand somewhere
• Spring Bay Mill chips in for innovative technology investment
