Tuesday, November 30, 2010

‘NO PULP MILL’ PUBLIC MEETING. Wednesday, December 1 2010

FRIENDS OF THE TAMAR VALLEY INC
INVITATION TO ‘NO PULP MILL’ PUBLIC MEETING 7.30pm, 1 December 2010, Tailrace Centre, Riverside

Friends of the Tamar Valley (FTV) invite the public and the media to a ‘No Pulp Mill’ Public Meeting to be held at the Tailrace Centre, Riverside on 1 December 2010
The proposed Tamar Valley Pulp Mill has been the most controversial and divisive public issue since the Franklin Dam and remains the elephant in the room in terms of future peace between the logging industry, the government and the people of Tasmania.
This meeting will focus on the risks to the health and wellbeing of the residents and businesses located in the Tamar Valley and outline in particular the major economic and environmental risks associated with the Pulp Mill project.
“Any resident of the Tamar Valley or business person concerned about the effect this Pulp Mill may have on their health, their business and our region cannot afford to miss this meeting” said spokesperson for FTV Anna Pilkington. Dr Warwick Raverty is flying in from interstate specifically to outline why the Tamar Valley is the worst location for this Pulp Mill.
“Despite Gunns’ recent PR drive we believe most Tasmanians do not accept that a proposed plantation-based mill and a new CEO suddenly make the mill safe, ethical and of economic benefit to the community” said Ms Pilkington.
Speakers: Peter Cundall, Dr. Warwick Raverty (Former RPDC panelist & authority on pulp mill technology), Alderman Jeremy Ball (Launceston City Council), Jon Bryan (Underwater Photographer) & Vanessa Bleyer (Local resident, conservation lawyer)
There will be a short period for questions from the public after the Speakers.

For further information contact Anna Pilkington of FTV on 0439 899 760

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Pulp bits

Did anyone hear  independent (cough,cough) pulp and paper bloke Robert Eastment, on ABC Radio Hobart last friday?
Eastment effectively said that Gunns CEO Greggles The Strange was being nice to us poor fools in tassie because in most other places in the world where pulp mills are being built the populus are just told to shut up and wear it!
Gee Bob, how is that so different than what has occurred here?
Isnt the only difference that Greg "the million dollar man" L'Estrange is trying to ram his pulp mill down our throat with a smile, better media lines and without the help of the military?
Eastments statement also hints at the fact that large kraft pulp mills tend to be constructed in regions where basic democratic rights are either not recognised or easily trampled.
Makes sense when one considers Paul Lennons hideous and roundly condemned Pulp Mill assessment act legislation with its unprecedented section 11.
Still we dear little Tasweenies whould be grateful that Greggles hasnt just ordered the government to lock us all up.
That would never happen would it?

Pilko

Friday, November 26, 2010

Wilderness reaffirm opposition to Tamar mill proposal. Oosting refuses industry pleas to back Tamar Mill. Vica Bayley says mill ' too far gone to be gain social licence'.

Despite some of TWS recent clumsy attempts at treading a fine diplomatic following its peace negotiations with the logging industry, it was good to see the Wildo's protesting against the pulp mill at the Gunns AGM and reaffirming their absolute opposition to the proposed Gunns Pulp Mill in the Tamar Valley.

There is a perception that TWS are only concerned about forests in relation to the mill, however TWS continue to highlight the other serious environmental flaws in the Tamar proposal like ocean and air pollution, risks to local food and wine producers as well as the incredibly shonky political approval process and the overwhelming community opposition. Whilst there is no doubt TWS have softened their public campaign against the mill as some sort of deal to secure HCV forests, the Wilderness Society continue to vigorously campaign against the proposed Tamar Valley Pulp Mill behind the scenes and have pledged their absolute support and continued assistance to Tamar Valley anti-pulp mill groups.

Senior TWS forests campaigner Vica Bayley recently told ProPrint the proposed Gunns Tamar Valley mill would never win community acceptance and that the project was "too far gone to receive a social licence"."As long as the project has been approved having been fast-tracked and using inadequate processes, it can never be accepted by the community. For that, they'll have to go back to the drawing board," said Bailey

Gunns sends more workers to the wall then puts hand out for public money compo....Kim Booth furious says Gunns should pay compo and stand on own feet...Premier says no compo for Gunns

Read More Here

Read about the job cuts

Booth Spray
......Gunns Limited have already been the beneficiaries of hundreds of millions of dollars in public subsidies, they receive a virtually free wood supply due to arrangements with the out-of-control agency Forestry Tasmania, and if anyone should be paying compensation it is Gunns, not the long-suffering taxpayer," said Mr Booth.

"Gunns are restructuring because business as it stands has collapsed, and there is no way that any more public money should be paid to bail them out. Enough is enough.".....

Premier says no compo for Gunns.
.....Greens MP Kim Booth says it is a joke.

"Gunns are a rent-seeking company that's lived on the public purse for many many years and it's way past time they were weaned off the public teat and started producing profits through their own efforts rather than robbing the public purse," he said..

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Gunns CEO agrees to attend Friends of the Tamar Valley No Pulp Mill meeting. Wednesday December 1st 7.30pm Tailrace Centre, Riverside.

At today's Gunns AGM a few Tamar Valley residents extended an invitation to Gunns shareholders, the Board and Gunns staff to attend next Wednesdays (Dec1) No Pulp Mill Public Meeting at 7.30pm at the Tailrace in Riverside. Greg L'Estrange reportedly said he will definitely be there. He now has an FTV flyer with written details as well.
Industrial corporations with PR problems the world over will attempt to soften up or cuddle up to communities and key stakeholders as a means to win support for their projects. No doubt L'Estrange will claim his attendance as evidence of Gunns "community consultation" on the Pulp Mill.
However local mill opponents have already shown they are in no mood to be pacified or patronised with slick corporate platitudes. Indeed, L'Estrange's pleas to a tired, cynical  and increasingly impatient community that Gunns are ready to consult 6 and 1/2years after the mill was first proposed is regargded as damage control, window dressing, ludicrous and deeply offensive in the Tamar community.
It has been said that Gunns new round of community consulation is akin to a bully beating the living daylights out of the kids at school, getting expelled, but then demanding that the school take him back, the kids forgive him because the bully now realises he needs his school certificate.

Rain does not deter 100 plus protesters fronting Gunns AGM in Launceston.......and........The Examiner's mill finance hype exposed

"Anti-pulp mill protesters have given a hostile reception to the head of Gunns, Greg L' Estrange, outside the company's annual general meeting in Launceston.....He is fronting shareholders just a day after announcing up to 150 jobs will be lost from Gunns sawmills around the state"............

Read more here - ABC News online

...............................................

The Examiner gets it wrong again on mill finance

Pulp excitement once again got the better of The Examiner Newspaper, jokingly described by Launceston locals as the "Gunns Gazette" after having said EARIER TODAY ...."The announcement late yesterday came as industry pundits expected early news that Gunns finally had financial backing for the proposed $2.3 billion Bell Bay pulp mill. The company's annual meeting is in Launceston today. An announcement on pulp mill finance was expected by Christmas but sources say that it could come as early as today.....

The Examiner's willingness to believe its industry sources on the pulp mill once again saw the paper embarrassed when it REPORTED LATER... "GUNNS Limited still does not have a confirmed joint-venture partner to help it build its $2.2 billion Bell Bay pulp mill, the company told its annual meeting this morning. Gunns chairman Christopher Newman told shareholders that the company had expected to announce its preferred joint venture partner by now, but the due diligence process had taken much longer than expected"....

You've got to love that last line. "the due diligence process had taken much longer than expected".
Yeah only about 6 years guys longer!

More to come on AGM protests later.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

MEDIA RELEASE 18/11/2010, FRIENDS OF THE TAMAR VALLEY INC

FRIENDS OF THE TAMAR VALLEY INC

INVITATION TO ‘NO PULP MILL’ PUBLIC MEETING

7.30pm, 1 December 2010

Friends of the Tamar Valley (FTV) invite the public and the media to a ‘No Pulp Mill’ Public Meeting to be held at the Tailrace Centre, Riverside on 1 December 2010
The proposed Tamar Valley Pulp Mill has been the most controversial and divisive public issue since the Franklin Dam and remains the elephant in the room in terms of future peace between the logging industry, the government and the people of Tasmania.
This meeting will focus on the risks to the health and wellbeing of the residents and businesses located in the Tamar Valley and outline in particular the major economic and environmental risks associated with the Pulp Mill project.
Any resident of the Tamar Valley or business person concerned about the effect this Pulp Mill may have on their health, their business and our region cannot afford to miss this meeting” said spokesperson for FTV Anna Pilkington. Dr Warwick Raverty is flying in from interstate specifically to outline why the Tamar Valley is the worst location for this Pulp Mill.
Despite Gunns’ recent PR drive we believe most Tasmanians do not accept that a proposed plantation-based mill and a new CEO suddenly make the mill safe, ethical and of economic benefit to the community” said Ms Pilkington.
Speakers: Peter Cundall, Dr. Warwick Raverty (Former RPDC panelist & authority on pulp mill technology), Alderman Jeremy Ball (Launceston City Council), Jon Bryan (Underwater Photographer) & Vanessa Bleyer (Local resident, conservation lawyer)
There will be a short period for questions from the public after the Speakers.

For further information contact Anna Pilkington of FTV on 0439 899 760 or 6394 3815

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Shame on you Examiner for this callous article

Excerpts below from the Examiner online article - "Unknown reasons behind Bleaney's council resignation" - 16 Nov, 2010 08:41 AM ............
............."COUNCILLOR Alison Bleaney resigned from the Break O'Day Council yesterday, just 11 months into her three-year term.............The reason behind Cr Bleaney's resignation is unknown, as she was unavailable for comment yesterday. However, her husband Michael passed away on October 24.............Two separate Code of Conduct complaints were also recently filed against Cr Bleaney and her fellow nine councillors for not complying with the provisions of the Council Code of Conduct in performing the functions and exercising the powers of a councillor"......Read the full anonymous article here  
Note the Examiner has not provided a facility to comment on this article online.
Compare the Examiner's barbed and heartless report (above) with the ABC news report on the Bleaney resignation. (below)

From ABC online
Professional differences prompts councillor to quit -
Posted Mon Nov 15, 2010 3:56pm AEDT
A prominent Tasmanian east coast councillor and environmental campaigner has resigned from the Break O'Day Council, saying she can not work with the Mayor.
St Helens GP Dr Alison Bleaney was elected to the council in December.
She has gained a national reputation for her vocal comments about the source of chemicals and pesticides in waterways. Doctor Bleaney apologised to her backers but says she had to resign. "I really have no confidence at all in the ability of our present mayor to lead the Break O'Day Council effectively and innovatively into 2010 and beyond," she said.
The Mayor, Robert Legge, has been contacted for comment.
Doctor Bleaney says the recent deaths of her mother and husband also contributed to her decision.
.......................

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Pacquiao destroys Margarito. Takes eighth world title. Pacquiao fans want Floyd Mayweather next in fight of the century

See Video - http://www.foxsports.com/  and http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_6505977,00.html

Read more Here and Pacquiao v Mayweather Here

...."In the 11th round, Pacquiao said he asked the referee to stop the fight. "My opponent looked bad, I wanted him to stop it," Pacquiao said. " I said, 'look at his face. ' I didn't want to damage him permanently. That's not what boxing's all about."....Read More Here

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Manny Pacquiao v Antono Margarito, November 14 2010 WBC super welterweight title fight

See why Manny Pacquiao is widely regarded as the worlds greatest boxer and arguably, the greatest ever
Watch these profiles of Pacquiao from CBS Sixty Minutes and Here. Read about Manny in Wikipedia.
Watch Pacquiao destroy the great Oscar De La Hoya

To see the Pacquiao v Margarito fight live go Here for pay per view

Friday, November 12, 2010

Campaign against proposed Tamar Pulp Mill set to escalate with major Public Meeting in Launceston

NO PULP MILL Public Meeting

Wednesday 1 December, 7.30 Sharp

The Tailrace Centre, West Tamar H'way, Riverside

Speakers:

Peter Cundall

Dr. Warwick Raverty (Former RPDC panellist & authority on pulp mill technology)

Alderman Jeremy Ball (Launceston City Council)

Jon Bryan (Underwater Photographer)

Vanessa Bleyer (local resident, conservation lawyer)

After 6 years Gunns still have no financial or social backing for the proposed Tamar Valley Pulp Mill

“Enough is Enough”

The proposed Tamar Valley Pulp Mill presents huge risks to our Health, our Environment and our Economy

It’s your community

Come and hear what Gunns aren’t telling you and why this pulp mill will never be built

Please invite all your friends to come along on the night.

Queries or offers of help? Please contact Anna Pilkington annapilkington@hotmail.com

Event organised by 'Friends of the Tamar Valley'

Thursday, November 11, 2010

West Tamar Council set for 2011 Tamar Valley Pulp Mill elector poll...and.....community meeting proposed regarding dangerous West Tamar Highway

The excerpt below is from page 77-78 of the Council Meeting agenda for November 16 2010 as listed on the West Tamar Council Website - here - also see page 82 for motion to hold community meeting on dangerous West Tamar Highway.
..................................

NOTICE OF MOTION – CR KEARNEY: ELECTOR POLL, OCTOBER 2011

1) Motion
That council authorises the holding of an elector poll to be held concurrently
with the next Council Elections (expected in October 2011).

The elector poll will ask the following question;

Do you agree with the proposed pulp mill being located in
the Tamar Valley?”

2) Background
In the recent past Tasmania has been told of the results of what was called “the forestry round table”. The outcome has been described as an historic agreement between the forestry industry stakeholders on the one hand and the environmental stakeholders on the other. The outcome has been described as a “peace deal” and a “game changer”. The information contained in the print media and discussed at some length on radio was the position of “a pulp mill” in the future of the forestry industry. The agreement supports the building of “a pulp mill” as part of the agreement. At present there is only one proposal for a pulp mill and that is Gunns
proposed pulp mill located in the Tamar Valley.

In 2005 an elector poll was held and asked exactly the same question. Why then would it make sense to have an elector poll in 2011?  The forestry round table outcomes are a “game changer”. A great deal has
happened since 2005 and the last few months have put into agreement form some of the shifts in approach that have been made by Gunns, the environmental movement, the government and the forestry industry. One of these shifts is the apparent acceptance of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation.

The residents of the West Tamar municipality have not been part of the forestry round table. They are stakeholders, but have not been given any say in the outcome. Clearly the forestry industry, Gunns and environmental groups have been given a say. Contrast the position of West Tamar residents with that of the Environmental Non Government Organisations (ENGOs). For example, the ENGO’s will apparently be able to decide what constitutes high conservation value forest areas. The FSC accreditation includes a significant community input, community say in the formulation of areas to be logged, processes to be used and other issues.

The old RPDC assessment criteria back in 2005, for the proposed pulp mill, included what could broadly be described as a “getting community support for the project” criteria. Our West Tamar residents are at risk in the “forestry round table” process of being totally left out of decisions. Will the ENGO’s decide that the gains achieved in ending old growth forest logging justify the ENGO’s agreeing to support, or at least not oppose, a Tamar Valley pulp mill? Will Gunns actually do what every other major project proponent has done and put up a proposal that will attract community support? Or will they do a deal with the ENGO’s that allows a Tamar Valley pulp mill to proceed?

The purpose of running an elector poll is to put all the parties on notice that at the next West Tamar Council election the residents of the West Tamar will be able to express their view. The proposed elector poll will constrain any tendency for the stakeholders to make cosy deals among themselves. It will put the location of the Tamar Valley pulp mill proposal on the political agenda for the next eleven months.

It will provide the definitive result on the pulp mill location that the council can point to as the community position. For a pulp mill to proceed there will need to be community support. The elector poll gives the proponent the chance to work with the community over the next eleven months and then be given the opportunity to demonstrate that they have a proposal that has community support. Finally the elector poll is about giving our West Tamar residents a voice. A chance to have their say on the issue that has been very dominant for the last 6 years.

Peter Kearney, COUNCILLOR

3) Officer’s Comments

Council authorised the conducting of an elector poll on the issue of locating the proposed pulp mill in the Tamar Valley in July 2005 (refer Minute No 76/05 Notice of Motion: Cr Kearney – Elector Poll Proposed Pulp Mill).

The result of the poll was the subject of an agenda items to council in November 2005 (refer Minute No 136/05 General Manager’s Report: Results of Elector Poll Regarding the Proposed Pulp Mill Being Located in the Tamar Valley).

The results of the poll (“Do you agree with the proposed pulp mill being
located in the Tamar Valley?”) were:

YES vote 3782 votes 44.05%
NO vote 4804 votes 55.95%

The cost of the elector poll in 2005 was $6,000 therefore the expected cost
in 2011 would be approximately $6,000 - $7,000.

Ian Pearce
GENERAL MANAGER

Sunday, November 7, 2010

KELLY SLATER WINS 10TH WORLD TITLE.....and...the great Haile Gebrselassie retires

In the Footsteps of Duke by Jake Howard, ESPN Sports

.."This might sound like a stretch, but in the 100-year pantheon of modern surf history, there are two surfers who stand head and shoulders above the rest. Considering how many characters, charlatans, icons and legends the sport has seen in the past century, that's staying a lot, but stay with me here.

The first one, who towers above all like the bronze statue that stands in Waikiki in his honor, is the great Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. The second one, who just picked up his record 10th ASP world title, is Robert Kelly Slater"...

Read More Here
and
Gebra' retires

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Wilderness Society say Gunns Pulp Mill ""too far gone to receive a social licence" and will "never be accepted by local community". Article from Pro Print.

................"Vica Bayley, campaign director for the Wilderness Society Tasmania, told ProPrint that the NGO approved of the move, particularly because FSC certification mandates community involvement."It's welcome. It's a step in the right direction," he said. However, he added that the Bell Bay project in its current form was "too far gone to receive a social licence". "As long as the project has been approved having been fast-tracked and using inadequate processes, it can never be accepted by the community. For that, they'll have to go back to the drawing board," said Bailey"........Read more below
.............................

Gunns aims to FSC certify Bell Bay mill
by Daniel Fitzgerald Nov 1, 2010
 Gunns has taken "a step in the right direction" by applying for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for Bell Bay, but the pulp mill still won’t win community acceptance, said the Wilderness Society.
The forestry giant today said it was aiming to FSC certify the mill, which will be "ranked in the top five mills in the world" for environmental outcomes.
The company also used the market update to say that "due diligence process in respect of the pulp mill investment has progressed satisfactorily".
One of the outcomes it listed was "confirmation that commitment to applying the most modern technology will result in a facility that will be ranked in the top five mills in the world as far as environmental outcomes [are] concerned". Gunns said the mill would be capable of generating a minimum of 180 megawatts of energy per year, with 90 megawatts returned to the national grid.
A Gunns spokesperson told ProPrint the company had also started the "long process" of achieving FSC certification.
Vica Bayley, campaign director for the Wilderness Society Tasmania, told ProPrint that the NGO approved of the move, particularly because FSC certification mandates community involvement.
"It's welcome. It's a step in the right direction," he said.
However, he added that the Bell Bay project in its current form was "too far gone to receive a social licence".
"As long as the project has been approved having been fast-tracked and using inadequate processes, it can never be accepted by the community. For that, they'll have to go back to the drawing board," said Bailey.
Gunns recently announced that it would quit using native forest for its pulp production, as well as collaborating with environmental groups on a 'Statement of Principles' for the Tasmanian forestry industry.
"The Tasmanian Forest Statement of Principles is a major step forward but we acknowledge the need to consult with the community and other groups not party to the statement in respect of the environmental credentials of the pulp mill as now planned," the company said.
Although the Bell Bay project was already set to use only plantation timber, Gunns' recent announcement that it would no longer use native forest is expected to expedite the mill's construction, which has stalled awaiting investment.
The company last week also downgraded its earnings forecast for the current financial year, saying that factors such as the strengthening Australian dollar had forced it to revise its underlying EBIT forecast from $50m-$60m to $40m-$50m.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Another community, more workers set for the scrapheap as Gunns flags Triabunna pull out.........and............Deutche Bank advises against investing in Gunns, questions Gunns' ability to fund Tamar Valley pulp mill

...................."But Gunns did not tell the community the Triabunna chip mill would be closing and according to Mrs Woods won't discuss with the local council what its exact intentions are.
"They told the workers they would be out of native forests by the start of 2011, but didn't say what would happen at the mill," Mrs Woods said. "So we have no clear indication if the mill will close in early December for Christmas and not reopen again or what will happen. "And that uncertainty is grossly unfair to the workers, unfair to the forest contractors and unfair to Triabunna."........

Read More in todays Mercury

................and from ABC online........Deutsche Bank investment warning