Policy

Mr Bill Kelty

TAP supports promotion of Talent, Innovation, Diversity and Environment (TIDE) and a shift in government policies towards promoting more diversified resilient sustainable development based on Tasmania’s unique clean island qualities, niche markets and favourable climate. But Gunns' proposed pulp mill is damaging to TIDE and displaces opportunities for community and regional growth.

Adapted from the Cool Cities program, Michigan, USA, the acronym TIDE represents four conditions that are holistic and systemic rather than causal. Each one is necessary but by itself is insufficient for generating long term prosperity. To attract creative people, generate innovation and stimulate economic growth, there must be substantial, balanced performance across all four.

In TAP’s assessment, Gunns’ proposed pulp mill has a negative effect on Talent, Innovation, Diversity and Environment and therefore scores a fail on each condition.

The 15 page forest policy of Environment Tasmania (ET) can be downloaded from below.

Note, TAP as a community organisation does not necessarily endorse the content of ET's  policy but provides access to the document here to facilitate discussion on the Round Table meetings between environmental and forestry groups.

In whose interest are the Government’s proposed new planning laws? Why are they being fast tracked?

 

To progress towards a better Tasmania, TAP into a Better Tasmania strongly recommends that the Local Government of Tasmania (LGAT) demand that the State Government’s planning review process be stopped to allow a full and proper input by the public and all Local Councils.

This summary was released on 16 June 2008 by Lawyers for Forests as general information for the public. It does not constitute legal opinion or a view as to the merits of the case. The trial started on 18 June before Justice Tracey in the Federal Court in Melbourne. For further information, go to www.lawyersforforest.asn.au

An analysis of the strategic planning environment for the planned pulp mill was presented to TAP members in early May 2008. Presenter was Mike Bolan.

Its purpose was to inform planning and decisions about where to focus efforts.

Some slides from that presentation are shown below to give a whole of system perspective . It follows on from a workshop that identified the needs of community members of TAP who live in the affected area of the Tamar Valley and northern Tasmania.

The next TAP public forum in the series will be on alternative futures for our forests.

When 7pm - 9.45pm Monday 25 February 2008.

Where Riverside Community Centre, off Brownfields Lane behind the Riverside High School, West Tamar High way, Launceston.

Speakers
Speakers
Mike Scott (engineer) email - Mike_Scott@acl.com.au
Frank Strie (master forester) email - schwabenforest@connect.net.au
Kim Booth (Greens MHA) email - kim.booth@parliament.tas.gov.au

Decisions by Forestry Tasmania about the State's forests centre on producing one main low value product – pulp wood, but at what cost?

Selected reports and submissions on Gunns proposed Tamar valley pulp mill are organised by category.

1. Tasmania-wide impacts

2. Economic and planning risks

3. Pollution of Bass Strait

4. Human health risks

5. Wood supply issues

6. Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

7. Water consumption

Key letters from TAP Into a Better Tasmania to government bodies and others. Click on the link to see the full letter.

Letter 17 to Mr bill Kelty on "Forest Principles" negotiations with the community.

Dear Mr. Kelty,