climate

November 30, 2008 is a key date for the status of both the $15m Sovereign Risk Agreement and the 20 year Wood Supply Agreement between the State Government, Forestry Tasmania and Gunns.

The Government has said it has drawn a "line in the sand" of no further assistance to Gunns past November 30.

However, as author Peter Henning pointed out "It is clear, of course, that the Bartlett government and the Hodgman opposition will ignore the interests of the people and communities of the Tamar Valley in whatever further legislative or regulatory action the Parliament takes on behalf of Gunns. That is a foregone conclusion, as has been consistently demonstrated in all their actions in relation to the pulp mill." See http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/weblog/article/the-millstone/ for the full article.

The secret shadowy history of the Agreements below shows the rotten heart of “parliamentary democracy” in Tasmania.

Read more at Government Agreements Watch

The relationships between governments (local, state and federal) and Gunns is monitored here.

The Launceston City Council relationship with Gunns' proposed pulp mill.

State government position on benchmarks for “significant progress”

State Government Sovereign Risk Agreement and Wood Supply Agreement with Gunns

Federal Government Environmental Impact Management Plan and Modules

Failures of Module C - Roadkill Survey Report by TAP Research

This paper is an attempt to identify and quantify the subsidies paid to Gunns and the logging industry in Tasmania. Drawing upon broad community input via the online newspaper www.tasmaniantimes.com , it was compiled by Andrew Bent  and edited by TAP.

Summary of findings

1. Taxpayer funding diverted to support pulp mill and logging

Report by prepared by Naomi Edwards April 2008.

Main points:

Report prepared by TAP, 2007.

Gunns Ltd and the Tasmanian Government both trumpet the economic benefits of an anticipated $6.7 billion boost to the state economy with 1617 new jobs from construction and 292 jobs long term.

Carbon Trade Watch www.carbontradewatch.org is monitoring the corruption of the climate change debate by the carbon offset industry particularly by tree planting.

The Carbon Neutral Myth highlights several ways in which the carbon offset approach to climate change is fundamentally flawed. See carbon_neutral_myth.pdf to read the full story.

Summary
From the late Middle Ages, Western Europe became slowly but surely engulfed by the tide of mercantilism that superceded the feudal economy. This system, which to us is second nature, was revolutionary at the time. It was, in its own way, the first wave of economic globalisation to wash over Europe.

A celebration of 25 years of forest conservation in Jackeys Marsh, Tasmania, and the Great Western Tiers. Walks, talks and workshops for all age groups as well as great entertainment and inspirational forest films.

"Counting the Carbon in our Forests" workshop on Friday 1 Feb at 4.30pm led by Sean Cadman who describes new research into cool temperate forest carbon reservoirs and the carbon losses associated with approved logging of native forests in south eastern Australia.

Go to the 2008 Jackeys M

This is the first forum in a series jointly organized by ABA (A Better Australia) and TAP (Tasmanians Against the Pulpmill) to examine current and future problems confronting Australia and to develop strategies for dealing with them.

The format is an open public forum, democracy in action you might say, led by guest speakers with the emphasis firmly on public participation. If you have something to say, you will be heard.

WHERE: Community Centre behind Riverside High School, West Tamar Rd, Launceston (entrance off Brownfield Lane)
WHEN: Monday January 21st at 7.00pm

Selected reports and submissions on Gunns proposed Tamar valley pulp mill are organised by category.

1. Tasmania-wide impacts

2. Economic and planning risks

3. Pollution of Bass Strait

4. Human health risks

5. Wood supply issues

6. Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

7. Water consumption