TASMANIA'S PULP MILL    

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The third module of the plan to manage the environmental impacts of the Gunns pulp mill project has been approved by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Hon Peter Garrett AM.

Module C relates to bulk earth works at the pulp mill site. This means the bulk earthworks can begin once vegetation has been cleared on the mill site.

The first two modules of the plan to manage the environmental impacts of the Gunns pulp mill project were approved on 1 February 2008 by the Minister.

These modules form the first part of the Environmental Impact Management Plan (EIMP) developed by Gunns as a condition of approval of the project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The first two modules - an overview module, and the vegetation clearing module for the mill site - were assessed by the Independent Expert Group set up for this purpose, and also by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

The Approval

Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for the Environment 4th October 2007 (Media Release)

“My decision followed the recommendations of the Chief Scientist’s report and took account of advice from my Department and over 36,000 public submissions received through the three consultation periods over the five month assessment period since April this year."

“The Chief Scientist advised me that he and the expert panel of scientists were impressed by the technical and engineering advances that have been made in the design and operation of Elemental Chlorine Free pulp mills. The panel accepted that the proposed mill was likely to conform to world’s best practice, and the panel considered that this was a strong argument that equally high standards should be expected of the interaction of mill operations with the environment.”

In preparing his advice, Dr Peacock, assisted by his panel, reviewed the Department’s August Recommendation Report and many thousands of pages of assessment documentation. They met with key stakeholders and completed an inspection of the proposed site. Dr Peacock and his panel also reviewed submissions made to the Minister during the public comment period that were of a scientific or technical nature.

“I particularly thank Dr Peacock and his panel members, Dr Graeme Batley, Associate Professor Peter Clarke, Dr Mike Herzfeld, Professor Helene Marsh, Professor Hamish McCallum and Dr John Parlsow, for providing comprehensive and independent advice to inform my decision.”

“I would also like to thank the many individuals and organisations who provided valuable input through the public comment periods during the Australian Government assessment process.”

Labor position on pulp mill approval

Thursday, 4 October 2007

Federal Labor has always supported a world class mill for Tasmania that achieves best practice  environmental outcomes and reduces woodchip exports in favour of economically beneficial downstream value adding processing.

Labor has also supported a comprehensive and proper assessment process, but Minister Turnbull’s handling of this process has been a shambles.

The original assessment process put in place by Mr Turnbull was completely inadequate – a fact he was forced to concede when he belatedly sought advice from the Chief Scientist.

Labor will respect Minister Turnbull’s decision today under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act giving approval for a pulp mill to be built in the Tamar Valley.

We welcome the extra conditions that were recommended by the Chief Scientist and incorporated into the approval.

If successful at the next election, Labor will work cooperatively with Gunns, the Independent Expert Group and the Tasmanian Government to ensure that the conditions of the approval are effectively implemented and provide the best possible environmental outcomes for Tasmania. This includes those conditions related to dioxins and effluent levels and minimising impacts on marine life and threatened species.

A Rudd Labor Government would not seek to overturn or amend the decision by Mr. Turnbull.

Peter Garrett MP
Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Environment
Senator Kerry O’Brien
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Forestry