This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go here. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
News Article
THE EXAMINER
RPDC TURMOIL
January 16, 2007
Raverty rejects Gay assessment
By Michael Steadman
GUNNS chairman John Gay's belief that the $1.4 billion pulp mill proposal had already met the required assessment guidelines has been flatly rejected by former assessment panelist Warwick Raverty.
Dr Raverty, a kraft pulp mill expert and scientist with the CSIRO, was appointed by the Resource Planning and Development Commission to provide technical advice to the panel.
Since his resignation was revealed last week, he has questioned the wisdom of building the mill at Long Reach, which he described as "possibly the worst site in Tasmania".
Dr Raverty said the mill may have met the guidelines for a remote location like Hampshire, which was one of the sites originally proposed, but Gunns was yet to prove that the Tamar Valley and Launceston wouldn't be adversely affected by air, noise and light pollution.
"Either Mr Gay has memory problems or he is not reading his mail," Dr Raverty said.
"Julian Green wrote to Mr Gay on at least three occasions and reminded him that because Gunns had chosen a very sensitive site they could expect more stringent emission limit conditions."
Gunns' original IIS was found to be deficient by peer review scientist Beca Amec and a long list of additional information is required to be lodged by January 31.
Dr Raverty said he did not oppose the mill, providing it met exacting environmental standards.
"A well-designed bleached eucalypt kraft mill, if built to the world's best standards, will not cause any harm - it is a glowing example of sustainable industry in its truest form," he said.
"In principle, this pulp mill could add enormously to the Tasmanian economy and the national economy and go a long way to offsetting the $2 billion trade deficit."
But he reserved serious concerns about the proposal, including that the emerging technology proposed to produce the bleaching agent for the mill ran the risk of producing 20 per cent of harmful elemental chlorine.
He also said the original plan to combat fugitive odour emissions was also inadequate.
"Those are the concerns that Gunns has to address during the process and until then, Mr Gay cannot say he has met all the guidelines," he said.
Featured item
Get updates from RAN
Support RAN
Dollar for dollar, RAN is the most effective environmental group in the world.
Jim Gollin
Learn more about this supporter »