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.

Here is the online copy of the first edition [Summer 09/2010] of TAP's newspaper. You can download a pdf of the four A3 sized pages at the bottom and print off copies.

Its purpose is to detail in newspaper format how the proposed pulp mill, the fourth-largest kraft pulp mill in the world, threatens the health, jobs, lifestyle and investments of the community.

Have fun at the "Potatoes, Pudding and Plonk"a fund raising evening to be held at the Windermere Store (Windermere, East Tamar) on Friday 8th January - 6.30pm for 7pm start.

Enjoy jacket potatoes (choice of fillings with gluten-free and vegetarian options), salads, dessert, & a glass of wine and great company.

Funds raised will contribute to important TAP projects aimed at protecting the community from Gunns' proposed pulp mill in the 2010 election year.

There will also be a Lucky Door Prize, and a raffle (please bring a small gift - value up to $10 - as a contribution to the raffle prizes).

Wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase.

Tickets are $25 per head. Get in early, tickets are limited. Contact either Anne 6328 1231 or Patricia 6328 1384.

Tell your friends. Look forward to seeing you there.

The media stories on ‘secret’ meetings between Gunns and Bob Brown and Wilderness Society were leaked to the media by someone just ahead of Gunns Annual General Meeting 11 November 2009.

The stories frame Gunns as conciliatory and willing to talk with opponents. It is more in Gunns’ interest to have leaked the story than the Greens or TWS in order to mitigate a potentially fiery AGM.

Further evidence that they cannot be trusted!

Gunns proposed a private meeting with Bob McMahon of TAP last month but this was rejected because he knew it would be misused.

Bartlett allowed clearing on pulp mill site when permits had expired

Why has Bartlett allowed work to begin on the pulp mill site when permit concerns were raised with the EPA last July?

TAP Into A Better Tasmania expressed outrage today that community concerns have again been disregarded by Tasmania's State Government.

Questions about the permit conditions for Gunns Ltd's proposed Pulp Mill were raised with the Environmental Protection Authority over three months ago, but continue to remain largely unacknowledged by David Bartlett.

Download the "Drum beat" flyer from below

Rick Pilkington
(Originally published on www.tasmaniantimes.com )

The continuing effect of the Gunns Pulp Mill on public life in Tasmania will be one of division. Terrible division. Supporting the project stopped being clever long ago. The kindest thing to do would be for the Bartlett Government to disconnect itself from the proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill and reconnect to its line in the sand. Until the Bartlett Government or a future Hodgman Government does so, the Gunns Pulp Mill will continue to be a millstone.

Connected or Divided?

In 2008 Premier David Bartlett sent a clear message to the people of Tasmania that he’d had enough of the planned Gunns Tamar Valley Pulp Mill.

His Government’s role in the project was over and whether the pulp mill went ahead or not, would now be determined by Gunns and its ability to get finance.

The Premier told Tasmanians they would know for sure by Christmas 2008 whether the Gunns pulp mill project would or would not go ahead.

The Bartlett Government appeared to have recognised it had done more than enough in meeting Gunns’ timeframe. Other stakeholders would finally be given the same certainty as Gunns.

The many producers of award-winning food and wine in the Tamar Valley, where a $500 million tourism industry thrives, could now look forward to certainty and to reinvesting in, and expanding jobs-rich businesses

Mr Bartlett declared: “I believe that this Parliament and, therefore the Government have done pretty much all we can and some would say too much…we have drawn a line in the sand regarding any future government involvement in this project”.

When I confronted Mr Bartlett at George Town last weekend I said, “You lied to us Mr Premier. It’s there on the public record”

The Premier shook his head, walked away, and mumbled something to Deputy Premier Lara Giddings.

Sunday October 25 opened many peoples’ eyes to the bizzare, alternative world of media-led Government.

Pulp the Mill is a collective of individuals firmly committed to peacefully protest and engage in civil disobedience as one of the means to stopping the mill. We invite you to join us as a supporter, or to willingly be arrested if that is what it takes for change to come.

The next Peaceful Community Protest workshop will be held in Hobart Sunday 15th November.

For information email join@pulpthemill.org

Postal voting in Tasmanian local government elections begins from between 13 to 16 October and closes 10am, Tuesday 27 October.

TAP Into A Better Tasmania (TAP) is a non-party political movement. Voters who have added their names to TAP's Voters Block have pledged not to vote for candidates who support Gunns' proposed pulp mill in the Tamar valley. The Voters Block has over 23 700 registrations and has surpassed the original target of 22 000. The number is growing steadily and the new target is 28 000. 

TAP has been contacting candidates in local council elections to ask the question "Do you support or oppose Gunns' planned pulp mill in the Tamar Valley?". Candidates who oppose the pulp mill and have given permission to publish their names are listed below.

Twenty five anti pulp mill candiates are in the local government elections for positions as councillors, deputy mayor and mayor across five northern councils.

We have made every attempt to ensure that the list is accurate but there may be one or two latecomers. Their names will be posted here as soon as possible. If there are any errors, or you would like to make a suggestion, please email tapcontact@gmail.com. Read more to see the list.

Candidates supported by the Voters Block as at 10.30pm Friday 16 October, 2009