The State Liberal Government is in damage control following the release of the Parliamentary report into the sale of the Triabunna export woodchip mill site.
“The report clearly demonstrates the inquiry was a politically-motivated waste of time and taxpayers’ money,” Shadow Health Minister Rebecca White said.
“It has achieved nothing and highlights the Liberals failure to support the Triabunna community.
”Guy Barnett has corrupted the political process and is working against the community he is supposed to represent.
“What the Government must do now is work constructively and positively with the local community to ensure a better future for the region.
“It is extremely disappointing there are no tangible recommendations in the report that support Government or private investment in the region.
“What is even worse is that the Liberals are actively undermining the single biggest opportunity to secure tourism investment for the region.
“How can the Liberal Government claim to be ‘open for business’ when behind the scenes it is talking down Graeme Wood’s multi million dollar plans to redevelopment the former mill site.
“The Triabunna community wants the project to proceed and the State Government should support them.
“The community has moved on and it should not be held back by the Liberals’ blatant political bias.”
• ABC: Triabunna woodchip mill wharf should stay in public hands, parliamentary committee recommends
• ABC: Tasmanian MPs fail to agree on Triabunna mill inquiry findings
• Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure Media Release
Parliamentary Committee Report on Triabunna
The Government welcomes the release of the Parliamentary Committee report that follows the inquiry, chaired by Lyons Liberal MHA Guy Barnett, into the circumstances surrounding the closure, sale and dismantling of the mill site. The report also identifies development and other opportunities for the Triabunna community and the surrounding regions.
Last year the Government ruled out the compulsory acquisition of the former mill site. This remains our position.
The Parliamentary inquiry has recommended that the Government maintain public ownership of the stranded Triabunna wharf and investigate possible future uses.
As portfolio Minister for TasPorts, I will discuss this with them.
The Parliamentary Committee has also recommended the Government investigate a southern wood residue export facility. TasPorts and Forestry Tasmania are continuing work on a feasibility report looking at an export terminal at Macquarie Wharf and we expect to be in a position to make a decision later this year.
The Government will continue to work with the local East Coast community to advance investment opportunities for the region. Just this month we took the first step to opening the Great Eastern Drive.
We are investing $500,000 into the Great Eastern Drive, providing new signage and a marketing campaign over the next two years to showcase this beautiful regional tourism area.
The Government is happy to consider the recommendation that Orford/Triabunna be promoted as a gateway to this magnificent region as part of the marketing of this well-received Liberal election initiative.
• Dr John R. Wilson, in Comments: Rebecca, this was a nasty little witch-hunt from the start. A disgraceful waste of public money. Nothing was gained by it. Nonetheless, I am grateful to you and Cassie for your dissenting reports.
Download, Read for Yourself Cassy O’Connor’s Dissenting Report …
