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29 September 2007
Legal advice from Geoffrey Cousins says Minister Malcolm Turnbull cannot give conditional approval for Gunns pulp mill subject to completion of more studies. The EPBC Act states that the minister must be fully aware of the impact of any project before approval. Any decision to give conditional approval could result in a legal challenge.
Go to The Australian.
28 September 2007
Minister Turnbull is considering conditions on the pulp mill that could cast doubt on its viability. Turnbull must decide if hydrodynamic modelling of the effluent in Bass Strait must be done before construction begins. The Lennon Government's fast-track assessment has ruled that construction can start and that further modelling can be done later.
Go to The Australian.
27 September 2007
Federal Cabinet refused to make a decision on the future of the $1.9 billion Tasmanian pulp mill this week after being told government chief scientist Jim Peacock concluded the proposal was flawed.
Click The Mercury.
26 September 2007
According to a leaked copy of the report from chief scientist Jim Peacock, GUNNS needs to satisfactorily answer further questions on the effect of the mill's effluent on the marine environment. They must also agree to more stringent conditions before Commonwealth approval is considered. The Peacock report went to cabinet on Tuesday.
Click The Age.
25 September 2007
Barry Chipman, Tasmanian state manager at Timber Communities Australia wants to stop ‘myths’ about Tasmania's pulp mill. Article summary:
Barry says the mill is vital for securing the long-term wellbeing of timber families.
Barry says the pulp mill will be of great benefit to Tasmania
Barry says that the science behind the project is sound.
Barry says Bell Bay is the right location.
Barry says the pulp mill can co-exist in harmony with wine and tourism.
Barry says anti-forestry forces have gathered to destroy the project.
Barry says the state Government should be applauded for its courage.
Barry says well-heeled Sydney celebrities present themselves as experts on pulp mills.
Barry says mill opponents claim that it would cause all the snowcaps on the South Island of New Zealand to melt.
Click The Australian.
25 September 2007
No mill decision for at least a week as Mr Turnbull heads for Washington. Paul Lennon said Turnbull ‘won't need any further extensions’.
Click The Mercury.
24 September 2007
Report from chief scientist Jim Peacock was delivered to Minister Malcolm Turnbull today. Turnbull says "we'll publish it after we've digested it and reviewed it. That won't be too long after that and then I'll make a decision shortly thereafter."
Click ABC news.
22 September 2007
Malcolm Turnbull pressured to make a quick decision in favour of the pulp mill after new Liberal polling showing a jump in the party's support in the crucial seat of Bass.
For the full story go to www.theaustralian.news.com.au.
22 September 2007
Malcolm Turnbull will receive the scientists report on the pulp mill on Monday. A decision on the mill could be made at any time after Monday.
For the full story go to www.news.com.au/mercury .
21 September 2007
Summary: Gunns pulp mill to cost Tasmania according to financial experts.
The financial risk stems from the price at which Gunns can make pulp and what price it can get selling directly into the world market.
CommSec says that Gunns will be competing against South American pulp mills that can produce pulp at almost half the price it costs Gunns. World pulp prices have been declining in real terms every year.
Actuary Naomi Edwards says the only way the mill can compete against the cheap South American pulp mills is for it to use cheaper native forests of Tasmania rather than more expensive plantation timber.
Gunns say that the proportion of native forests used in the pulp mill will reduce from an initial 80%. However, native forest only costs Gunns $12 - $15 a tonne where plantation wood costs $30 - $35 a tonne. The pulp mill will be locked into using cheaper native forests so it can compete with low cost South American mills.
Gunns is negotiating a confidential 20-year wood supply agreement to feed 1.5 million tonnes of pulp wood to its pulp mill with Forestry Tasmania. The 20-year wood supply agreement is written in a way that ties the fortunes of the taxpayers of Tasmania to the world pulp market.
The economic viability of the pulp mill could be underwritten by the Tasmanian public.
For the full story go to www.abc.net.au.
Related page Pulp finance.
20 September 2007
CHILE: CELCO PULP MILL SUED FOR DAMAGE IN MATAQUITO INCIDENT
(Sept. 13, 2007) The State Defense Council has brought a US$2 billion lawsuit against the CELCO paper pulp plant for environmental damages and health risks caused by the company's contamination of the Mataquito River. The lawsuit was praised by international NGO Oceana, which said it is an important first step towards holding CELCO accountable for its environmental crimes.
Santiago Times, Chile.
Visit www.tcgnews.com/santiagotimes
18 September 2007
Three scientists critical of Gunns proposed pulp mill briefed Minister Turnbull’s expert scientific panel on why they believed the project should not proceed – poisoning of fish and seals, significant impact on marine life, and possible closure of fisheries. The "only environmentally prudent course of action" is to reject the Gunns application. They urged an 85% reduction in proposed discharge limits for dioxins.
Click Australian newspaper
18 September 2007
The extraordinary financial risks of the pulp mill project. Gunns market capitalisation today is $1.2 billion and it wants to make a $2 billion commitment.
Click Australian newspaper
17 September 2007
Voters to block pro-mill political candidates
Thousands of Tasmanian voters have pledged not to vote for any local, state or federal political candidate who supports Gunns’ proposed pulp mill in the Tamar valley.
Bob McMahon, spokesman for Tasmanians against the Pulp mill (TAP), said, ’11,100 voters have signed the “Voters Block” not to support any pro-mill political candidates at elections’.
‘This is a potent political statement for any candidate, particularly those in marginal electorates,’ said McMahon. ‘The numbers are growing daily.’
‘The people are angry at the appalling orchestrated and covert support by the Lennon government for the pulp mill, the loss of democracy and the downward spiralling standards of governance in Tasmania,’ said Bob McMahon.
For the imminent Federal Government and local council elections, TAP will be polling all candidates for their views on the proposed pulp mill.
‘We will advertise the results and distribute cards in all electorates showing how to vote against candidates who support the pulp mill,’said McMahon.
Related pages:
Opinion polls
Cut to the chase; key issues
17 September 2007
Gunns refutes claims from scientists as ‘little more than another delaying tactic by green opponents’. Gunns also refute Wotif.com boss Graeme Wood's criticism as ‘based on false and inaccurate claims and represented just another attempt by a trendy green sympathiser to destroy Tasmanian jobs and the economy’.
Click Australian newspaper
17 September 2007
128 experts in chemistry, zoology, botany, oceanography, atmospheric science, marine biology and environmental impact assessment have sent a signed statement to Mr Turnbull appealing for further research into Gunns proposed pulp mill in the Tamar Valley.
Click Mercury newspaper
17 September 2007
Wotif.com CEO Graeme Wood opposes Gunns’ pulp mill and said Tasmania was a special asset on the world stage of tourism.
Click Courier Mail
17 September 2007
Pulp mill or not, Gunns CEO John Gay wants to expand. He admits Gunns’ public relations is causing problems for the company in financial markets.
Click Australian newspaper
17 September 2007
In October, electors in the Hobart Municipality will have an opportunity to vote in a poll about Gunns proposed pulp mill. Voters will be asked about the decision making process, the location in the Tamar valley and type of mill proposed.
Click Examiner newspaper
September 15, 2007
Greens lose respect for ALP shadow environment spokesman Peter Garrett
Click Australian newspaper
14 September 2007
Pulp mill to be approved within 4 weeks by Malcolm Turnbull says John Gay, CEO of Gunns. ‘There are no issues with this pulp mill in Tasmania,’ he said.
Click Australian newspaper
14 September 2007
Gunns’ pulp mill may not be commercially viable. Opinion piece by Judith Ajani, economist at the Australian National University.
Click Canberra Times
13 September 2007
Poll finds most voters in Bass prefer that the pulp mill be moved to an alternative site of Hampshire in Braddon.
Click Australian newspaper
12 September 2007
Federal liberal candidate Ben Quin warned he faces disciplinary action and disendorsement over his public opposition to the Tamar Valley pulp mill.
Click Australian newspaper
12 September 2007
A Galaxy poll found 41% of Australians did not want the pulp mill.
Click Mercury newspaper
11 September 2007
Analysis of regulatory and enforcement powers available under the Pulp Mill Assessment Act 2007 by law lecturer Michael Stokes. ‘Permit conditions 8 and 9 substantially water down the duty to enforce permit conditions. Condition 8 places major obstacles in the way of civil enforcement by individuals.’
Click Tasmanian Times
11 September 2007
Native forests may be worth more as carbon offsets than as a supply source for Gunns' proposed pulp mill says Federal Liberal candidate Ben Quin.
Click Australian newspaper
8 September 2007
A number of Gunns shareholders are undertaking their own risk assessment of the company's pulp mill proposal.
Click Australian newspaper
7 September 2007
Gunns pulp mill will create at least 10.2 million tonnes of CO2 a year, or 2 per cent of Australia's 2005 emissions.
Click Australian newspaper
6 September 2007
Premier Paul Lennon says why a mill is good for us.
Click Mercury newspaper
5 September 2007
Wine-tainting chlorophenol compounds from the mill might contaminate wineries surrounding the mill site according to the Australian Wine Research Institute.
Click Australian newspaper
5 September 2007
The public needed to know whether the project was being subsidised by taxpayers via discounted log prices says Liberal candidate Ben Quin. The State Government will not reveal the price Gunns will pay for access to millions of tonnes of native forest timber from state-owned forests.
Click Australian newspaper
4 September 2007
Wine industry concerns ignored by government. Letters not answered.
Click Mercury newspaper
4 Sep 2007
Three scientists point out serious pollution risks in Bass Strait to the Federal Government.
Click www.theage.com.au/news
3 September 2007
David Lindenmayer author of ‘On Borrowed Time: Australia’s environmental crisis and what we must do about it’ interviewed by Fran Kelly. Listener transcript.
We’ve had a biodiversity loss record that’s second to none … and that makes it even more necessary to have an independent scrutiny of the wood supply before permission is given for the pulp mill to be built.
Click ABC Radio National Breakfast interview
2 Sep 2007
Hundreds of Argentineans crossed into Uruguay amid tight security to protest outside a paper pulp mill, the cause of a major dispute between the countries.
Click BBC World News
2 Sep 2007
Tas Deputy Premier Kons accuses Senator Barnett of playing 'playing politics'.
Click ABC
2 Sep 2007
Is there a difference between Libs and Labs? Garret thinks so.
Click ABC
1 Sep 2007
Howard said pulp mill can and will be built.
Click ABC
Related pages
Gunns Tamar valley pulp mill, key issues
