[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Security Risk at Penola Pulp Mill ignored

[Parnell]

Media Release 
6th September 2007

	
Security Risk at Penola Pulp Mill ignored

	
The announcement today in Germany of a suspected terrorist plot
involving hydrogen peroxide raises serious questions about the Select
Committee report into the proposed $1.5 Billion Penola Pulp Mill,
released late last night, Greens MLC Mark Parnell said: 

"Today we hear about a foiled plot in Germany where suspected terrorists
have been accused of hoarding hydrogen peroxide to use in the attack.  

"Most people don't realise the Penola Pulp Mill site will contain a
massive hydrogen peroxide manufacturing plant larger than the Titanic.
Yet, in the report provided by the proponent, Protavia, to Parliament
the hydrogen peroxide plant is described in a grand total of just 6
lines of text.  There is nothing about storage or chemical transport,
and there is certainly no mention of security risks.

"We must remember hydrogen peroxide was also used by suicide bombers in
the 2005 attacks on London's transport system which killed 56 people.

"The hydrogen peroxide plant is not even mentioned once in the Select
Committee's report - if it wasn't so serious it would be laughable.
What other issues were ignored by the Select Committee?

"Where's the risk assessment that should come automatically with
approval for a huge chemical manufacturing plant? If it's not a risk,
then that should be clearly explained to Members of Parliament before
they are required to vote on the project.
 
"In Germany people are arrested for stockpiling hydrogen peroxide, yet
here in South Australia we are being asked to approve a massive
manufacturing plant for the same chemical without a risk assessment.
 
"This issue, along with the other discovery today that 100 tonnes a day
of waste is destined for landfill in Mount Gambier with the local
Council not even aware of it, reinforces once again why a comprehensive
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Penola Pulp Mill is still
required.  

"Frankly, I am appalled the South Australian Parliament is being asked
to approve this massive development with such little information.  Just
like in Tasmania, this Pulp Mill is set to be approved via a half baked
process rushed through Parliament, rather than following proper planning
processes.  

"This is a shoddy 'shoot first, ask questions later' approach," Mark
Parnell said.

 

For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893

	
 


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