Gunns' proposed pulp mill still lacks community support

The Federal Environment minister Tony Burke is due to announce his decision on the construction of the pulp mill in the Tamar Valley on March 10.

Tasmania's Great Western Tiers. Photo: Rob Blakers

The Wilderness Society continues to oppose the Gunns' Tamar Valley pulp mill based on:

• deep concerns over the potential supply of wood from native forests
• the mill’s expected impact on the marine environment
• the quantity of fresh water to be used in the mill
• its inappropriate location
• and the discredited, fast-track planning process

Despite some possible improvements to the pulp mill proposal recently announced by Gunns, the current proposal is still likely to have significant environmental impacts and does not have broad community support within the Tamar Valley or Tasmania.

This is due to the original and deeply flawed planning process being fast tracked by the Tasmanian Government and Gunns. Without this key issue being resolved, the proposed mill will not be supported by the community.

“It is the responsibility of the two Governments to deliver a legitimate, independent, and transparent process, with public participation, to assess the impacts of any major development, including the Tamar Valley Mill,” said Lyndon Schneiders, the Wilderness Society’s National Campaign Director.

“The fast tracked and discredited Tasmanian process put in place for the Tamar Valley Pulp Mill in 2007 has only delivered division and community opposition,” Mr Schneiders said.