[Greens-Media] Senator Christine Milne - Gunns' Commonwealth referral is a farce

[O'Connor, Cassy (Sen C. Milne)]

Tuesday, 3 April 2007

Gunns' Commonwealth referral 
is a farce

Having distorted the planning process in Tasmania and coerced the Lennon
Government to do its bidding, Gunns' Ltd. is trying to make the
Commonwealth believe the proposed Tamar Valley mill will have no
significant impacts, Australian Greens' Senator, Christine Milne, said
in Hobart today.

"Here is a mill proposal that would have a devastating effect on
biodiversity in Tasmania and pollute the marine environment, yet the
proponent crosses the box in its referral documentation to say it does
not think the pulp mill is likely to have significant impacts.
(p. 28)

"How can a project which requires up to 4.5 million tonnes of forest and
dumps 26 billion litres of effluent into Bass Strait every year for the
projected 30+ year life of the mill, not have a significant
environmental impact

"Gunns is so used to getting its way with the Tasmanian Government that
it's trying it on with the Commonwealth as well.

 "Minister Turnbull must regard this proposal as a Controlled Action
under the EPBC Act and require a full Environmental Impact Statement and
public inquiry into the project,"  Senator Milne said.

** Senator Milne strongly urged all members of the public who are
concerned about the pulp mill and the improper process put in place at
the State level, to make a submission to the Department of Environment
and Water Resources by the 18 April deadline.

The referral notice can be found at:

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_refer
ral_detail&proposal_id=3385



Media contact:    Cassy O'Connor   03 6224 8899  or 0437 587 562