Secret deal on pulp mill pipelines
Matthew Denholm; 2/5/08
The Tasmanian Government is refusing to release any details of secret and well-advanced proposals for taxpayers to own and subsidise pipelines to service the controversial Gunns pulp mill. Premier Paul Lennon has floated potential public ownership and funding of the water and effluent pipelines for the $2billion mill, to be built in the Tamar Valley north of Launceston. This would not only improve the finances of the project but also allow for the compulsory acquisition of land needed for the pipeline held by landowners opposed to the mill. Yesterday, it emerged that the Government had entered into “an explicit arrangement” with Gunns to prevent the public release of information relating to the proposed taxpayer role and that a draft proposal was due to go to cabinet. The Government cited a secrecy arrangement with Gunns and other alleged exemptions to withhold 25 documents sought by the Tasmanian Greens under Freedom of Information.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23631885-5013404,00.html
Tags: Australia, Environment