After yesterday’s admission by KordaMentha – failed timber company Gunns’ administrators – they will not seek a renewal of the permits for the Tamar Valley pulp mill, community group Friends of the Tamar Valley call on the Hodgman government to also end community uncertainty about the controversial project, and both declare the permits invalid, and confirm the Pulp Mill Assessment Act 2007 will be repealed.
It is clear Launceston and Tamar Valley communities have moved on from years of division and anxiety caused by the pulp mill. The region is now thriving, with many of the vineyards, tourism and agricultural businesses, already expanding, or looking to do so. Their viability was seriously threatened by the proposal to build the Tamar Valley pulp mill.
While community opposition to the project remains as strong as ever, Friends of the Tamar Valley remind the Hodgman government that a region which has invested in, and developed its strengths in, food, wine, tourism, and the many and varied opportunities provided by holding arts festivals and cultural events, should not have these put at risk by the spectre of an ongoing threat of the pulp mill.
“The Tamar Valley has so much to celebrate with the Junction Arts Festival about to begin, and Blooming Tasmania to be held later in September. Our valley now boasts so many fantastic events, creating many new jobs. They include Festivale, music, poetry, and writers’ festivals, and MOFO coming next year. All these draw huge crowds, attract people from the mainland, and contribute significantly to our economy. The Gorge tops the must-see list for tourists visiting Tasmania,” said FTV spokesperson Anne Layton-Bennett.
“Vegetation has grown back on the pulp mill site, and several sightings of endangered wedge-tailed eagles suggest these magnificent birds are nesting there again. With no work done on the site since the collapse of Gunns in 2012 it defies logic to claim there has been ‘substantial commencement’ on the project.”
“It’s time to end the pulp mill farce. The community deserves certainty. We’ve moved on positively, and the government should do the same,” Ms Layton-Bennett said.
Anne Layton-Bennett, Stephanie Taylor
