Air

Impacts of plantations for the proposed pulp mill

The expanding area of plantations intended to feed the proposed pulp mill, is already having a major impact on the state.

Water

The expanding area of plantations intended to feed the proposed pulp mill, is already having a major impact on the state.

Water

Plantations lock in water shortages. Over 40 of Tasmania’s 48 water catchments are affected by thirsty plantation trees drawing water out of the ground and lowering the water table. Consumption of water by expanding plantations in the headwaters affects everyone downstream. When plantations exceed 8% of the catchment area, river flow audits show declining water levels particularly during dry summer months as evaporation rates increase (D. Leaman).

Plantations compete for water with irrigators, farmers, domestic consumers and the environmental flows needed to sustain river health. Changes in land use to plantations lock in patterns of water consumption for decades, at a time of declining rainfall from climate disruption. Tax subsidised plantations are taking water that could be used to make Tasmania the food bowl of Australia.

The air in a valley
Launceston lies in the Tamar valley and is regularly subject to thermal inversions that trap particulates and smells. Gunns want to build the pulp mill in the Tamar valley.

Report by the CSIRO commissioned by the RPDC on the Air Quality issues suggests that the IIS is deficient in many areas.
CSIRO report on air quality 866 Kb

The Australian Medical Association have said that the IIS does not address their concerns over health issues and therefore they do not support the current proposal:
No 473 Australian Medical Association submission 147 Kb

Dr Owen Ingles points out the lack of a proper risk management assessment for the population living within 50km of the proposed pulp mil.
No 73 Dr Owen Ingles submission 137 Kb

Documents sourced from www.rpdc.tas.gov.au