Yesterday the Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced government approval for the Tamar Valley pulp mill. GetUp has been campaigning on this issue with over 25,000 members voicing their opposition to the mill. In keeping with the contentious debate over the mill, GetUp has invited the Minister and Shadow Minister Peter Garrett to blog directly to the public. They are joined by Greens Senator for Tasmania Christine Milne, and Tamar Valley resident Judith King. We invite you to engage with them in the comments section.
Malcolm Turnbull - Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
Federal Member for Wentworth
I have imposed the world's toughest environmental conditions on the proposed pulp mill in Tasmania's Tamar Valley, including independent scientific and environmental monitoring.
I have accepted the independent, scientific advice of the Chief Scientist and his panel of scientific experts and have released his report, together with my decision today.
In the draft recommendations of my Department released in August, 24 conditions were imposed on the proposed pulp mill. In response to Dr Peacock's advice, the number of conditions has now been doubled to 48.
Dr Peacock and his panel have reviewed my decision and conditions and have confirmed they reflect the recommendations of the Chief Scientists report. My decision also takes 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.
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.
My decision has been made consistent with my obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Further information regarding the decision is publicly available here and here.
Peter Garrett MP - Shadow Environment Minister
Federal Member for Kingsford Smith
Dear GetUp members,
Thanks, as always for your passionate interest in this issue.
Federal Labor's always supported a world class mill for Tasmania - one that achieves best practice environmental outcomes and reduces woodchip exports in favour of value-adding.
But up until now we've had a shambolic process. The original assessment process Mr Turnbull put in place was completely inadequate and that's caused a lot of anxiety around the country.
Let me be really clear that Labor and I recognise there are high levels of concern about the environment in this area and we also recognise that we need to add value to our forest estate. Making that balance work is never easy.
The most important thing we can do now is ensure these extra conditions are properly and adequately scrutinised and make sure that the environment is protected, for example maximizing the use of plantation timber.
Precisely how these conditions are monitored and implemented will make a big difference to the environmental outcomes of this project. Of course the environmental impact of this mill is really important, and I would uphold these conditions vigorously if granted the privilege to serve in a Rudd Labor Govt.
Senator Christine Milne - The Greens
Senator for Tasmania
Dear Get Up members,
Thanks for the opportunity for me to respond to Malcolm Turnbull's decision to approve the Gunns pulp mill in my home of Tasmania.
This is an issue that has been close to my heart for twenty years. I first became involved in environmentalism and politics because I was so appalled by the proposal to build a pulp mill at Wesley Vale. Now it is happening again, and, once again, we must stop it.
In approving the pulp mill, Malcolm Turnbull has delivered what Gunns and the Prime Minister wanted, but he certainly hasnt taken it off the election agenda. Moreover, he has not saved his seat. But what he has done is put some pressure on Federal Labor, Peter Garrett and George Newhouse to say what they would do.
Mr Turnbull claimed today that this mill would be world's best practice. But how can a mill which will destroy 200,000ha of magnificent forest, 500 times whats being protected, be worlds best practice? How can a mill that pumps effluent, albeit less than it might, into a pristine environment be worlds best practice? How can a mill that adds 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere every year be worlds best practice?
I want to make this clear - this campaign is not over. The people of Tasmania do not want this pulp mill and will see this commonwealth decision as being politically expedient, not scientifically valid. They, and we, will continue to campaign to protect the clean, green and clever economy of the Tamar Valley in particular and Tasmania in general.
Please come and read a more detailed response, see a video I made earlier this year, and contribute to discussion on the pulp mill decision at the new Australian Greens blog.
Judith King - Tamar Valley resident
We need help to fight the mill in Tamar Valley. We are feeling desperate after being deserted by elected representatives in Tasmania and now Federally by Turnbull to allow Gunns to make a quick profit by raping our island.
The proposed mill is going to be spewing pollution at a massive rate and has been approved when the majority of Australians are very concerned about climate change and the environment. What's going on?
We live in the Tamar Valley and it has an airshed inversion problem that can cause fog and heavy smog for days on end. It is a well known problem with local council programs trying to get people to stop using woodheaters. AMA [Australian Medical Association] Tasmania has said that 6-8 people a year will die from respiratory illness from the industrial pollution from the mill...how can anyone then approve a mill that is going to kill people? It just doesn't make sense.
There will also be 750+ log trucks a day driving on roads where kids ride their bikes and horses. Diesel and noise pollution, our kids being hurt and a massive increase in road kill of our wildlife.
We only know 2 people pro the mill in our area. 100 of the 120 Hillwood residents signed a petition against the mill as they are frightened for their health and that of their children.
It is the wrong mill and is definitely in the wrong location. Something is very wrong in Tassie and we need the rest of Australia to please help us.
October 4th, 2007
How is the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle going to survive the destruction of its habitat? The effect on this bird species is just one of many negative impacts that the pulp mill will have on the local environment. There needs to be less concern about generating profits for industry in this country, and more focus on preserving the unique parts of Australia that are still left!