ChrisPippos Advocate
PULP mill proponent Gunns Ltd – given federal approval for its $2billion project exactly 12 months ago – gave Premier David Bartlett no indication during recent talks it had secured finance to make construction a reality. The Federal Government gave the contentious Bell Bay project the tick a year ago, following a controversial fast-track assessment process overseen by the State Government. Mr Bartlett, who spoke to Gunns boss John Gay last week, said on Thursday that obviously the global credit markets were having an impact. Asked if Mr Gay expressed strong confidence the mill would be built, Mr Bartlett said: “He left me with the impression he’s going to leave no stone unturned. “We have had discussions with Gunns and, as I have said, we remain committed to this project,” Mr Bartlett said. Read more here
