[Greens-Media] Mark Parnell MLC : Penola Pulp Mill must be declared a major project, say Greens

[Greens]

Penola Pulp Mill must be declared a major project, say Greens

30/08/06

Greens MLC Mark Parnell will today call on Minister Holloway to declare
the Penola Pulp Mill a major development project to ensure a full and
public assessment of the Mill's environmental, social and economic
impacts.

"Failure to formally declare the Penola Pulp Mill a 'major development
project' under the Development Act would make a complete mockery of the
term," says Mark Parnell.

"The Penola Pulp Mill fits all the necessary criteria. It is a massive
project: $650 million dollars, 600 construction jobs, and once operating
the Mill is estimated to contribute approximately 7% of the state's
greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

After a special ministerial PAR, the project is listed as a Category 2
development, which means no objectors have any rights of appeal.

"To list the Penola Pulp Mill as a Category 2 development is frankly
farcical. One can't help but wonder if the Category 2 listing is a
deliberate attempt to avoid proper public scrutiny.

"The Pulp Mill proposal has already triggered a Commonwealth EPBC Act
threatened species referral and there has been considerable local
concern expressed about excessive use of groundwater and risk to
residents from chemical drift.

"What makes it even more farcical is that the Pulp Mill is listed on the
State Government's own 'major projects' website
(www.majorprojects.sa.gov.au) as a 'major project'.

"If Minister Holloway can call an apartment block in Hindmarsh Square a
'major development project', then why can't he do the same for a $650
million pulp mill?" he said.

For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893



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