Why the Gunns pulp mill proposal for the Tamar valley should not be approved

There are serious concerns about Gunns proposed pulp mill for the Tamar valley in Tasmania.

However, the Lennon Labor government in Tasmania has cut short their public consultation process that was supposed to address social and environmental concerns about the pulp mill.

And Malcolm Turnbull, the Federal Environment Minister, has granted preliminary approval for the mill to proceed, despite stating his "concerns about the poor process followed by the Lennon Government"!

Turbull has now called for public submissions about the mill, with a closing date of 31st August. Please consider writing your own submission. You can send your submission via email to epbc.pulpmill@environment.gov.au

My submission to the "Invitation to comment on draft recommendation report - 2007/3385 Gunns Limited Proposed Pulp Mill, Tasmania"

To whom it may concern,

The Gunns pulp mill proposal for the Tamar valley in Tasmania should not be approved until:

• Full consideration of the impacts of the mill on Tasmania's native forests and wildlife habitat are assessed.
• An independent assessment of the flow and dispersal of effluent in Bass Strait is undertaken.
• All toxic substances are removed from the mill effluent - no output of dioxin should be allowed.
• Adequate local consultation has occurred - this was cut short when the Lennon Government abandoned their RPDC process

In its current form, the pulp mill would pollute the ocean with toxic dioxin, and have a very serious negative impact on fisheries and local tourism ventures in the Tamar valley.

The mill proposal should not be approved until these matters are resolved.

Peter Campbell

*** End of submission ***

Links

• Invitation to comment on proposed decision and conditions for the pulp mill proposal in Tasmania's Tamar Valley
• Comment sought on draft Pulp Mill decision and conditions - Malcolm Turnbull MP
• The Wilderness Society - Gunns' Proposed Pulp Mill
• PM's pal damns pulp mill proposal | The Australian
• Turnbull to clear way for pulp mill | The Australian

Videos

• Natural Tasmania brand worth more than a dirty pulp mill (Greens)
• Tasmanian scallop fisherman, John Hammond, on the pulp mill
• Pulp mill 2007... Back to the future with Christine Milne