After reading about what is going on in other places, I thought I might mention a major marine conservation problem here in Tasmania. The 'clean, green' state is considering putting in a pulp mill in the Tamar River. The thought of pumping thousands on tonnes of heated water, tannins and chlorine into the marine environment doesnt seem to worry the pollies at all. The fact that everything from algae, to cephs, to seals will be affected again does not seem to bother them. I have joined the fight to stop this mill from getting built.
If anyone is interested in the campaign or just wants to follow whats going on, then just go to:
http://www.wilderness.org.au

We also have a state election here in March and it will be very interesting to see the results....fingers crossed.

That's TERRIBLE...........Tassie is such a gorgeous place and that mill will destroy both the forest and aquatic environments then for good measure stuff up the marine environment where the river runs into the sea :mad:

J

I've sent my protest through. Shocking state of affairs this is!

This is shocking! For the good of the enviroment, we must say "No" to the destruction of Earth's ecosystems!

I've sent mine. I grew up near one of the nasty things on the upper reaches of the Mississippi. I think it was the first (as in nearest to the hedwaters) major pollution source on the river. There were days was the visibility was negligible and the stench overwhelming. None of us knew about dioxins back then, but we hads a lot of cancer in that town.

There was a paper mill around 25 miles from my hometown and when the wind was right you could smell the stink. and another mill 5o miles away had killed everything in a good sized oxbow lake. hate the damned things

i sent my protest email.... poor little chephs...


chris

Oh shit....the election was not what I would have hoped. The Labor party hold the majority with 14 seats, the Liberals have 7 seats and the Greens have only 2!?! There was actually a swing against the Greens (:confused:) Anyway, with Labor winning the majority the fight becomes more important and a lot harder. Will keep you posted...

Better news....the Greens won the last two undecided seats which brings them up to 4. Still Labor have the majority and they love this pulp mill. The election was only declared yesterday so we will have to wait and see what develops....

Oh....and Australia has decided to sell uraninum to China....and they are thinking about selling it to India........words fail me.......

Not good news i'm afraid...Gunns pulp mill is full steam ahead:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200607/1677868.htm?northtas

That's really discouraging. Are there any enviro orgs. that would be capable of monitoring emissions? Air and water?

The EPA should monitor any emmissions by the plant, however I am positive the wilderness society and conservation australia are going to be watching these guys like hawks. We dont plan on letting them get away with anything. Also, while it is discouraging it's not built yet.

The main push from the wilderness society is to write to the pollies....

Paul Lennon
Premier of Tasmania
11th Floor, 15 Murray St, Hobart 7000
Email: paul.lennon@dpac.tas.gov.au

Senator the Hon. Ian Campbell
Federal Environment Minister
GPO Box B58, Perth WA 6838
Email: senator.ian.campbell@aph.gov.au

So if anyone wants to voice their opinion....go for it. It might make them think a little if they get a response from outside Tasmania. They think if they can keep it as state news no one will give a shit.

Also...does it annoy anyone else that politicians get the title "Honorable"?

Well, how many honourable politicians are you aware of? :hmm:

Still thinking on that one...will have to get back to you....:wink:

I'll be really interested in what comes from this.

From the abc.net.au website:


Gunns' pulp mill 'will pollute Bass Strait'

Thursday, 13 July 2006. 19:37

A conservation group is claiming 30 billion litres of effluent will be discharged annually into Bass Strait, if Gunns' proposed pulp mill goes ahead.

Tasmanians Against Pulp Mills says the figures are from a leaked version of Gunns integrated impact statement for the proposed Bell Bay mill.

The group's spokesman, Bob McMahon, says the document states that heavy metals and organic pollutants will be spread by currents along the coastline.

"That's about 85 million litres per day, which is interestingly enough about 45 Olympic-sized swimming pools in total dumped into the sea daily," Mr McMahon said.

"Now there's huge concern about what's going to happen to the environment and especially what's going to happen to real estate."

Gunns has confirmed it will submit its impact statement to the Resource Planning and Development Commission tomorrow for assessment.

A representative of Gunns says all the details proving the proposed Bell Bay pulp mill is world-class will be contained in the statement.

Just a quick update (as I am two chapters away from finishing my thesis...yay!), the Gunns pulp mill still plans on exporting the same amount of woodchip over to Japan as they have been previously. The new pulp mill would only increase production, not transfer it from overseas to Aus.And guess what...thats right...they are going to continue to use old growth forest to keep up production until their plantation crops are fully grown. They have always pushed the agenda that this would be about replacing overseas markets and Gunns are refusing to make comment on the new revelation.
On a good note, there is a group of conservationists called the "Gunns 20" that want to stop the pulp mill. Gunns took them to court and asked for $6 million in damages. Not only was the case thrown out but Gunns was ordered to pay the court costs on the "Gunns 20" group. Gunns are whinging that conservationists are hurting their reputation. Truth hurts heh?

Just a quick update (as I am two chapters away from finishing my thesis...yay!)

congrats on that!

congrats on that!

I second the congrats!, and I'm really glad that Gunns got gunned down by the judge. Occasionally things do go right.

Thanks very much for the congrats guys....I am now one chapter away from finishing....bigger YAY!

Unfortunately Gunns are not giving up the fight just yet....and look at what they are doing in terms of the amount of paper.....and therefore trees.....they might be doing this to keep themeselves in business....


From The Age:
Peter Gregory
August 29, 2006

THE timber company Gunns Ltd has been given a fourth chance to plead its case in a multimillion-dollar damages claim against environmentalists.

Justice Bernard Bongiorno yesterday struck out the current 221-page claim, saying it made too many claims against too many defendants in the one proceeding.

He also pointed to difficulties it caused for those sued in understanding the case against them, and the likely cost.

But Justice Bongiorno gave the company until October 19 to ask the court if it could bring another claim. If it did not, the 20 environmental groups and individuals the company had sued could make claims for costs.

Giving his judgement in the Victorian Supreme Court, Justice Bongiorno said Gunns had made serious allegations about conduct by some individuals, some of which could amount to criminal offences.

He said it would be unjust to deny Gunns the opportunity to bring its allegations in an intelligible form. But it was legally embarrassing for defendants to have to grapple with the 714-paragraph claim, which apparently was accompanied by another 2217 paragraphs of additional information, he said.

In an action seeking more than $6 million damages, Gunns sued environmentalists, including Greens leader Bob Brown, his Tasmanian counterpart, Peg Putt, and Wilderness Society national campaign director Alec Marr.

The action also named the Wilderness Society, the Huon Valley Environment Centre and Doctors For Native Forests.

Gunns claimed it was hurt financially and in its reputation, and that some defendants were conspiring against it.

Gunns said it would continue its efforts to sue. Chief executive John Gay said: "We've got the answer we wanted."

With AAP

That's really discouraging. Are there any enviro orgs. that would be capable of monitoring emissions? Air and water?

Further to this I just found ou that the state government has EXEMPTED the pulp mill from national air-pollution limits and Gunns has asked for permission to exceed the limits for nitrous oxides.

:mad:

OMG! Does the government like poisoning it's people and wild life? I'd say that's unbelievable, but unfortunately, we've seen way too much of that sort of thing over here in the last few years, I will never understand the world these people live in...there's no apparent connection to reality!

Gunn's Intergrated Impact Statement was realeased a while back with over 7000 pages for readers to ponder through. Public comment about this document was due September 25th to the Resource Planning and Development Commission. It will probably take a while for an outcome on this since so many people have elected to make comment. The outcome could be crucial to the pulp mill going ahead. If we can stop it here and now....great...but if the RPDC gives it the green light....it will be harder to stop. We will never give up though!

No much news on the pulp mill front. There was a rally held in Launceston which approximately 8000 people attended. We marched around the streets of Launny and got plenty of debate happening...but not much will occur until the RPDC starts reading the submissions. I got a lovely letter from them acknowledging my submission but nothing else yet.
On a slightly more joyous and personal note...I have handed in my thesis!!!! Yay!!! Now I have to wait 6-8 weeks to see if they think I can do my own research. Goodbye Atlantic salmon....hello squid :)

No much news on the pulp mill front. There was a rally held in Launceston which approximately 8000 people attended. We marched around the streets of Launny and got plenty of debate happening...but not much will occur until the RPDC starts reading the submissions. I got a lovely letter from them acknowledging my submission but nothing else yet.
On a slightly more joyous and personal note...I have handed in my thesis!!!! Yay!!! Now I have to wait 6-8 weeks to see if they think I can do my own research. Goodbye Atlantic salmon....hello squid :)

Congrats!! :grad:

Okay....have been away for a while but things are finally getting interesting with the development of the pulp mill. The next couple of posts are recent articles from www.abc.net.au explaining current events. Basically the government are pushing very hard for this pulp mill as you will be able to tell from the articles. They are really showing their true colours and it is horrible.
On a better note....I have found out that I have passed my PhD! All I have to do is some minor corrections and I can hand in a hard bound copy of my thesis. If anyone knows of any squid projects out there, please let me know :)

Business chamber warns against further delaying pulp mill assessment

Friday, 5 January 2007.

Tasmania's main business group says the State Government must ensure delays to the examination of Gunns Limited's proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill do not begin to affect the company's commitment to the project.

Two members of the Resource, Planning and Development Commission's pulp mill assessment panel have just resigned from the body.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the Government must fill the two vacancies quickly.

Chamber chief executive Damon Thomas says delays to a project the size of the proposed pulp mill can carry big financial and planning costs.

"Now a delay of a short period of time is not going to presumably make a major or material difference," he said.

"But if we start to swerve and delay a long time ahead, then I would only assume that Gunns will continually reassess its position."

Pulp mill opponents pushed panel chief to quit, Gunns says

Monday, 8 January 2007.

The Tasmanian timber company Gunns has accused its pulp mill opponents of pressuring the Resource, Planning and Development Commission chief to quit.

Julian Green chaired the assessment panel for the Bell Bay proposal and his resignation has thrown the process into doubt.

Another panel member, Dr Warwick Raverty, also quit, after the Greens accused him of "apprehended bias" because he had worked for the CSIRO, which produced supporting information on the mill that was used by the Government's Pulp Mill task force.

Gunns' chairman John Gay says he is disappointed by the resignations but does not believe the integrity of the process has been compromised.

"I think that the issues with Julian Green leaving is more to do with the pressure that he's been under from people giving him a hard time about the process and I think it's really been quite intense," he said.

"They've been really putting a lot of pressure on him, I think he's been getting a lot of mail, I think the submissions to the RPDC were threatening and I think that I don't blame him for wanting to get out."

Mr Gay says he expects the Government to announce replacements by the end of the week.

He says the mill's opponents want to stall the process and that should not happen just because Mr Green has resigned.

Former panellist backs alternative Gunns mill site

Tuesday, 9 January 2007.

A scientist who resigned from Tasmania's Resource Planning and Development Commission (RPDC) says Gunns could have avoided a lot of controversy if it had chosen Hampshire as the location of the proposed pulp mill.

Warwick Raverty resigned from the RPDC assessment panel last week after a perception of bias raised by the Greens.

Dr Raverty says it is his personal opinion that Bell Bay is one of the worst locations for the mill, as it would contribute to the Tamar Valley's air pollution problems.

He says Hampshire would have been a better site because it is away from populated areas.

"It certainly would have avoided a lot of the present controversy," he said.

"I understand there were additional costs in putting the mill at Hampshire, but of course it's up to Gunns to weigh up the additional costs of meeting the more stringent requirements of putting it at Longreach."

Gunns' boss worried delays may end pulp mill plans

Wednesday, 10 January 2007.

The chairman of timber company Gunns says Tasmania could miss out on the pulp mill project in Bell Bay, in the state's north, if there are further delays to the assessment process.

John Gay says he is frustrated by recent developments surrounding the Resource, Planning and Development Commission (RPDC).

Mr Gay says the company has already met all the strict environmental guidelines imposed by the RPDC and he just wants to move ahead with the project.

"I believe the Government does want a pulp mill, I believe that 90 per cent of the public want a pulp mill, but it's a small minority again ruling Tasmania and if Tasmanians don't get on with doing things there will never be any industry here," he said.

Gunns is expected to lodge amendments to its integrated impact statement by the end of the month after the RPDC asked it to fix a number of deficiencies and omissions.

The Wilderness Society says it does not believe threats by Gunns that the pulp mill project will be in jeopardy if it is not approved within six months.

Two senior members of the RPDC quit last week because of ongoing political interference in the assessment process.

Gunns says it may be forced to move the project outside of Tasmania if the resignations cause further delays.

Geoff Law from the Wilderness Society says Gunns is calling the bluff.

"This six month period is a furphy. It is simply an attempt by Gunns to railroad the process and intimidate and bully the RPDC into unreasonable acceleration," he said.

Minister warns of tough laws for Tas pulp mill proposal

Thursday, 11 January 2007.

The Federal Environment Minister has warned the planned Tasmanian pulp mill will need to meet some of the toughest environmental laws in the country to be given the go ahead by the Federal Government.

The pulp mill assessment process was thrown into turmoil last week when the Resource Planning and Development Commission (RPDC) chairman, Julian Green, joined panellist Warwick Raverty in resigning.

Both have complained about the level of influence exerted by the Government's Pulp Mill Task Force.

Senator Campbell says both the Tasmanian Government and Gunns are aware the project needs state and federal approval.

"Clearly having down stream processing and construction of pulp, well that would be great for the economy, but it has to withstand very high tests under the federal law," he said.

A former member of the RPDC says he is not surprised by allegations of political interference in the pulp mill assessment process.

Bruce Davis was a member of the RPDC for almost a decade and retired in 2004.

Mr Davis says he is not surprised nothing changed after Mr Green approached the Premier with his concerns in 2005.

"It's been pretty obvious that the Lennon Government is hell-bent on having a pulp mill, no matter what," he said.

He says the RPDC has always been aware of the State Government's position on various projects, but does not believe political pressure has influenced previous decisions.

Lennon assures Gunns of pulp mill commitment

Friday, 12 January 2007.

Tasmania's Premier Paul Lennon has sought to reassure timber company Gunns of the Government's commitment to the proposed Gunns pulp mill at Bell Bay.

Mr Lennon met the head of Gunns, John Gay, earlier this week at Launceston, to discuss the implications of two high profile resignations from the Pulp Mill Assessment Panel.

Conservationists say the resignations of Resource Planning and Development Commission (RPDC) head Julian Green and assessment panellist Warwick Raverty have cast doubt over the entire assessment process for the $1.4 billion mill.

Dr Raverty has angered Mr Gay by saying Bell Bay is one of the worst locations for a pulp mill.

Mr Gay responded with a warning that Tasmania may miss out on the mill if there are any more delays in the assessment process.

Opposition parties have been calling on Mr Lennon to break his silence and reveal what he knew about the circumstances behind the resignations.

There are reports the environmental guidelines for the mill may also be in doubt.

Lennon refuses to break-up pulp mill task force

Friday, 12 January 2007.

The Tasmanian Premier has defended the actions of the Government's pulp mill task force, which was set-up to promote the project.

Paul Lennon has also reaffirmed his unshakeable commitment to the proposal by Gunns Limited to develop the mill at Longreach in the north.

Mr Lennon interrupted his holidays today to break his silence on claims the Government's pulp mill task force has compromised the assessment process for the $1.4 billion project.

Former chairman of the Resource Planning and Development Commission (RPDC), Julian Green, cited pressure from the task force as having made his position untenable.

But Mr Lennon today rejected calls for the task force to be disbanded.

"No, I won't be disbanding the pulp mill task force," he said.

"It's still got important work to do."

Earlier this week Gunns chairman John Gay threatened to take the project elsewhere if there were further delays.

Mr Lennon wants the project approved within six months

"I'm concerned about the time it's taking as well," he said.

He is taking legal advice on whether public comments by a former pulp mill panellist have compromised the approval process.