[Greens-Media] Mark Parnell MLC : Penola Pulp Mill - Public Meeting

[Greens]

MEDIA RELEASE 
26th April 2007

Penola Pulp Mill - Public Meeting


With controversy continuing to surround the proposed Penola Pulp Mill, a
public meeting has been organised to bring the key players together in
front of the local community. 

Greens MLC Mark Parnell will chair the meeting, which is supported by
the Penola Residents and Ratepayers Association and the Limestone Coast
Sustainable Agricultural Communities Australia.  Invited speakers
include John Roche, Project Manager, Protavia, Minister Rory McEwen, and
Duan Butler from the No Pulp Mill Alliance.  Other state and local
politicians, including local member Mitch Williams and Wattle Range
Council Mayor Mark Braes have already indicated they will attend.

The meeting, to be held on Thursday 17th May 2007, 7pm-9.30pm at the
Coonawarra Hall, will take place almost a year to the day after the
original planning application for the Mill was formally lodged.

"Twelve months on, there are still so many unanswered questions about
the proposed Mill.  A public meeting will give the Penola community a
chance to hear the latest on the Mill, and discuss with some of the key
players the possible impacts of the doubling of the project," Greens MLC
Mark Parnell said.

A key focus will be Minister McEwen's proposed legislation that will
sidestep planning laws and hand the final approval for the project to
Parliament, as well as the current Supreme Court action undertaken by
the No Pulp Mill Alliance.  The meeting will also provide an opportunity
for the project's proponents to update the affected community on the
expected size and impact of the expanded development.

Bill Murray of the Penola Residents and Ratepayers Association welcomes
the opportunity for public debate:  "When a project of this size is
contemplated it is not just the environment, water and planning issues
that need to be considered, but also the socio-economic implications for
the whole community," he said.



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