[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_The Trouble With Gunns' Smoke_K Booth MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

THE TROUBLE WITH GUNNS' SMOKE
Cannot Manage a Boiler, How Will They Manage The Pulp Mill?
Tasmanian Greens MP Kim Booth 
Greens Shadow Pulp Mill Spokesperson
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300
www.tas.greens.org.au

The Tasmanian Greens today raised concerns about the management of
excessive smoke emissions from Gunns Limited's Lindsay Street boiler in
Launceston. The emissions were acted upon following the release of a
resident's photos in February this year, and the Greens are also
concerned that the Environment Department only became involved after the
resident's photos were publicised, and that they will not be fining
Gunns for the air quality breaches.

Greens Shadow Pulp Mill spokesperson Kim Booth MP said if Gunns cannot
manage the pollution from Lindsay Street, how will they manage the huge
emissions from the proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill?

"Emissions from the pulp mill will be far worse than those from the
Lindsay Street boiler," said Mr Booth.

"If Gunns cannot manage the smoke from a single boiler in Launceston,
how on earth will they manage the enormous emissions from the proposed
Tamar Valley pulp mill?"

"The Greens are shocked that Gunns Limited believes that meeting air
quality standards in Launceston is "not a big deal,"[1] and we are
calling on the company to show more concern about the air that
Launcestonians breathe."  


"Gunns cavalier attitude towards air pollution, as displayed by the
numerous detected emission exceedences from the Lindsay Street boiler
begs the question about their desire or ability to control pulp mill
emissions."

 
"If Gunns will not comply with emission limits on a simple boiler, then
heaven-help the long-suffering residents of Launceston who will be
forced to breathe this deadly pollution plus that of the pulp mill, on a
daily basis."

 

"A baghouse at Lindsay Street will not stop the PM2.5 and less particles
that are now known to be deadly to human health."

"The Environment Department also needs to explain to the people of
Launceston why it has not fined Gunns for emitting excessive air
pollution in their city."

"It appears that the Environment Department is unable to properly
monitor the activities of Gunns Limited, and unable to fine Gunns
Limited when the public finally manages to prove air quality breaches." 

"Residents with smoky chimneys are liable to be fined, but when Gunns
Limited is proven to have breached air quality guidelines they are not
fined - what is going on here?" asked Mr Booth. 

"The people of Launceston are relying on the Environment Department to
protect them from excessive pollution, but the Department seems to be
reliant upon members of the public to gather evidence about and then
publicise air quality breaches, before they will act upon them."  

"The Lennon Government has once again put the profits of Gunns before
the health of Launceston's children," said Mr Booth.

 
"The Tamar Valley airshed is not suitable as a dumping ground for air
pollution."