MEDIA RELEASE
The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
T215/07 4 October 200700
TURNBULL IMPOSES WORLD'S TOUGHEST CONDITIONS ON PULP MILL
The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull has imposed the world's toughest environmental conditions on the proposed pulp mill in Tasmania's Tamar Valley, including
independent scientific and environmental monitoring.
"I have accepted the independent, scientific advice of the Chief Scientist and his panel of scientific experts and have released his report, together with my decision today," Mr Turnbull said.
"In the draft recommendations of my Department released in August, 24 conditions were imposed on the proposed pulp mill.
"In response to Dr Peacock's advice, the number of conditions has now been doubled to 48. "Dr Peacock and his panel have reviewed my decision and conditions and have confirmed they reflect the recommendations of the Chief Scientist's report. "My decision has been made consistent with my obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999."
The Minister's decision, consistent with Dr Peacock's recommendations, includes:
· the establishment of an Independent Expert Group, appointed by the Minister and drawn from leading national and international scientists to assist with the design, implementation, monitoring and approval of the pulp mill.
· a requirement that Gunns prepare for the Minister's approval an integrated Environmental Impact Management Plan, in consultation with the Independent Expert Group, to ensure no adverse impacts
on Commonwealth environment matters. Some elements of the plan will be required to be approved before any construction begins and the final plan requires approval before the mill is commissioned.
· the appointment by the Minister of an Independent Site Supervisor to monitor Gunns' compliance with the conditions. The Independent Site Supervisor will have the full range of powers as an inspector under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to ensure there are no impediments in terms of access to information or locations to theperformance as supervisor.
· 16 conditions relating to the management of effluent from the pulp mill, including stringent levels
which if exceeded will mean the mill must close until such time as an advanced (tertiary) effluent
treatment process that produces high quality water is put in place.
· maximum dioxin levels in the effluent discharged from the mill will be required to be almost four
times more stringent than world's best practice.
· 17 conditions relating to the protection of both listed threatened and migratory species, including
measures to protect the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, the Tasmanian Devil, fur seals, whales, dolphins and rare native vegetation.
· requirements for around 400 hectares of protected reserve to be set aside for protected plants and animals.
· a requirement for transparent and regular reporting by Gunns of compliance with the conditions, to be independently audited by an auditor agreed to by the Department. This report must be also be made available to the public.
"My decision followed the recommendations of the Chief Scientist's report and took account of advice from my Department and over 36,000 public submissions received through the three consultation periods over the five month assessment period since April this year," Mr Turnbull said.
"The Chief Scientist advised me that he and the expert panel of scientists were impressed by the technical and engineering advances that have been made in the design and operation of Elemental
Chlorine Free pulp mills. The panel accepted that the proposed mill was likely to conform to world's best practice, and the panel considered that this was a strong argument that equally high standards should be expected of the interaction of mill operations with the environment."
In preparing his advice, Dr Peacock, assisted by his panel, reviewed the Department's August Recommendation Report and many thousands of pages of assessment documentation. They met with key stakeholders and completed an inspection of the proposed site. Dr Peacock and his panel
also reviewed submissions made to the Minister during the public comment period that were of a scientific or technical nature.
"I particularly thank Dr Peacock and his panel members, Dr Graeme Batley, Associate Professor
Peter Clarke, Dr Mike Herzfeld, Professor Helene Marsh, Professor Hamish McCallum and
Dr John Parlsow, for providing comprehensive and independent advice to inform my
decision," Mr Turnbull said.
"I would also like to thank the many individuals and organisations who provided valuable input
through the public comment periods during the Australian Government assessment process."
Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Australian
Government is to consider whether a proposed development will have a significant impact on
matters of national environmental significance, which in relation to this project, are listed
threatened species, migratory species and the Commonwealth marine area.
A summary of the Chief Scientist's advice, the conditions of approval, and a non-technical
explanation of the conditions are attached.
Further information, along with the Chief Scientist's report, is available on the Department's website at
www.environment.gov.au/epbc/pulpmill
More information on the Chief Scientist's panel and Terms of Reference is also available at
www.environment.gov.au/epbc/pulpmill
Media Contact: Brad Burke 02 6277 7640 or 0400 337 252
