Local residents prepared to be jailed to stop Tamar Valley pulp mill. Protesters say "Potential pulp mill investors and politicians can expect further civil disobedience unless the proposed pulp mill’s approval is repealed, and all plans to build this mill in the Tamar Valley are withdrawn"

SEE PROTEST PICS ABOVE

............“We were immediately struck by the massive scale of the clearing; the close proximity to homes on the western bank of the river, and the fact that the strong north-easterly winds currently blowing would take the toxic stench of the mill straight into Launceston" (Lucy Landon-Lane) 

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"Forty five members of the anti-pulp mill group Pulp the Mill gathered today at the proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill site to send a strong message to Gunns that the Tamar Valley pulp mill does not have a social licence.

Lucy Landon-Lane, spokeswoman for Pulp the Mill said, “While we acknowledge the Forest Principles handed to State and Federal Governments recently are a step forward for Tasmanias forests, in no way does it give a social licence to this Tamar Valley pulp mill.” 

Protesters notified the police of their intention to enter the site. On learning that the police had been instructed by Gunns to not attend the action, the protesters then took the opportunity to go and inspect the whole site. “We were immediately struck by the massive scale of the clearing; the close proximity to homes on the western bank of the river, and the fact that the strong north-easterly winds currently blowing would take the toxic stench of the mill straight into Launceston.

Since there appears to be no repercussions from entering the area (despite numerous signs saying trespassers prosecuted), we expect that more members of the community might like to enter and see for themselves.

”She concluded, “It appears that Gunns is choosing to distort the Forest Principles to imply that there is social acceptance for their pulp mill. The community will never support this mill.”

See pics Here

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TAS PULP MILL PROTESTS CONTINUE

from ABC News Online
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/31/3053064.htm

....Anti pulp mill protesters have gathered at the site of timber company Gunns' proposed Tamar Valley mill in northern Tasmania. The group accuses Gunns of using a recent agreement between conservationists and the forest industry to push its case for a mill at the Bell Bay site. Group spokeswoman Lucy Landon-Lane says about 40 people attended the protest. "We are here to make a very clear statement to potential investors that there will never be community support for this particular Tamar Valley pulp mill," she said.

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Pulp The Mill Media Release

"Pulp the Mill will be staging another Peaceful Community Protest tomorrow at 12 noon (October 31).

There will be about 30 people assembling on the pulp mill site for a silent, peaceful protest just within the site grounds, off the East Tamar highway.

Lucy Landon-Lane, spokesperson for Pulp the Mill said.... “It is imperative that Gunns’ board, shareholders and potential investors accept the reality that this mill will never have a social license. Gunns seem to believe that the Forest Principles presented to State and Federal Government recently give this Tamar Valley pulp mill a social license.

It will never have community support because of the corrupt and inadequate assessment process; the toxic effluent to be pumped into Bass Strait; the massive amounts of water it will consume; the danger from the increase in log trucks and trucks carrying chemicals to the pulp mill; and the stench that will fill the valley. These courageous people are here to stand up for all the wonderful sustainable industries that already exist in this beautiful valley, that will be adversely affected by this mill if it goes ahead. With Gunns’ history of suing people who speak out against them, these are very courageous people indeed.”

Retired doctor and protester, John Ball said, “No community consultation or assessment of the health risks of the proposed mill has ever been undertaken. As a family doctor with many years experience treating asthma and bronchitis, I am very alarmed at the dangers to our health this mill would cause. We already have poor air quality in the valley because of the inversion layer. Some 300 kgs of tiny dangerous particles will be emitted day and night all year round from the stack, into our air and into our lungs, increasing lung and heart disease. Added to that is the pollution from burning 500,000 tonnes of green timber residue and 1,000,000 tonnes of dried black liquor residue a year in the power station.

“Also it has been clearly shown in studies that our health will also be affected by the truly foul smell which all mills of this type emit from time to time.” he said.

Lucy Landon-Lane concluded, “Potential pulp mill investors and politicians can expect further civil disobedience unless the proposed pulp mill’s approval is repealed, and all plans to build this mill in the Tamar Valley are withdrawn. It is unjust and excessive to keep the residents of the valley in this awful state of limbo. The pulp mill has to go, so we can get on with our lives without the incredible stress that the threat of this mill has put on all of us.”