[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Greens slam Penola Pulp Mill approval

[Greens]

Media Release
12 September 2006

Greens slam Penola Pulp Mill approval


Greens MLC Mark Parnell has slammed today's decision to grant planning
approval for the $650 million Penola Pulp Mill without even an
Environmental Impact Statement being undertaken.

"This is a black day for government accountability in South Australia.
Today's decision is not the fault of the Development Assessment
Commission.  The fault lies firmly at the feet of the Planning Minister
Paul Holloway.

"Minister Holloway should have declared the Penola Pulp Mill as a 'major
development' to enable an Environmental Impact Statement to be done.
Instead, the Mill was assessed in the same category as a rumpus room or
a significant tree.  Frankly, this makes a mockery of the planning
system.

"Serious questions also need to be asked about the lightning quick pace
of the approval.  The company only put in their development application
just over three months ago.  How can relevant government agencies and
the local community assess the social, environmental and economic
impacts of a project of this magnitude in such a short time?

"South East residents, farmers and landowners have every right to be
extremely angry today about the level of scrutiny of the potential
impact of this massive development on their community and their health.
Because of the lack of an EIS there are still unanswered questions about
dioxin release, and the impact on already stressed groundwater and the
many important wetlands that surround the Mill's site.  

Next week, Mark Parnell will introduce amendments to the Development Act
to ensure a more accountable process for the declaration of any future
major projects in South Australia.

"I hope all Legislative Council members will support these amendments to
ensure the half-baked planning process used for Penola Pulp Mill will
never happen again," he said.


For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893


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