Post by Flash on Oct 5, 2007 5:05:58 GMT -5
Pulp mill work to begin within weeks
October 05, 2007
WORK can begin on Tasmania's controversial $2 billion pulp mill within weeks, the boss of timber giant Gunns said today.
Following a report from commonwealth Chief Scientist Jim Peacock, Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday approved the Tamar Valley project, but doubled the conditions from 24 to 48.
Labor also backed the proposed mill.
Today, Gunns executive chairman John Gay said he was confident the Gunns board would give the project the final green light.
Asked on ABC Radio when construction of the mill could begin he replied: “Very shortly, weeks.”
He said the mill was world's best practice before the extra conditions were imposed.
“The mill was designed and met the guidelines, and was world's best practice in the first place,” he said.
“I suspect that we will be able to get to the stage where we will be able to live with these conditions and build the pulp mill.”
Mr Gay said Mr Peacock said in his report the mill would not damage the environment.
“If that is the way that we can do it, then it will be very, very pleasing to me that this mill will not have any environmental impact in Tasmania.”
Environmentalists plan to take their battle against the mill to the courts, and the Australians Greens will not preference either of the major parties in Tasmania.
AAP