Australian Financial Review
Dear Sir,
Tamar Valley Pulp Mill is the ‘world’s best practice’ for economic proclivity, environmental desecration and secret handshakes.
The pristine, clean and green reputation of Tasmania has been traded for a 'world's best practice' wood chipping mill. Despite the 'world's toughest conditions' being imposed in approving Tamar Valley Pulp Mill there has been overwhelming dissent against this development project. The Tasmanian government has silenced dissenters by the introduction of the Pulp Mill Assessment Bill. Its scientific report sealed the fate of Bell Bay's timber forests but the 'independent' nature of the process remains questionable.
The Chief Scientist observed that 'technical and engineering advances that have been made in the design and operation of elemental chlorine free pulp mills' would ensure the Gunns' project had an environmental conscience. How does the Chief Scientist surmise this? He surely cannot base this deduction on past observations - Gunns' record concerning environmental impact statements, monitoring and contingency plans required substantial upgrade before approval was granted.
Further, the mill employs world’s second best practice in many areas, such as the use of Elemental Chlorine Free technology as opposed to totally chlorine free. Its treatment of effluent discharges into local and Commonwealth waters also compromises optimal environmental practice. These false misrepresentations are perpetuated by bias and subversive rationale.
Thus arises two agendas: the invalid use of science for economic purpose; or a subjective interpretation of environmental risks. The agenda is particularly translucent given the viable alternatives that have been disregarded.
The government has 'stacked the deck' in the assessment process - influencing perceptions and attitudes and sublimely forming allegiances with 'like minds'. The illusion of public consultation was shattered with the introduction of a State based assessment. The independent appointment of auditor, site inspector and expert group by Minister Turnbull begs the question of impartiality.
Dr Jim Peacock and his panel recommend an Environmental Impact Management Plan act as the warden of the pulp mill. This fails to address the defined problems in the mill’s construction and operation and ‘passes the buck’, placing the onus on Turnbull’s clique in ensuring EIMP compliance.
The environment has no chance under these conditions!
Michelle Butcher
MITTAGONG NSW
