Local Governments in Northern Tasmania are planning for a rise in building and planning applications from the development of a proposed major paper mill. George Town Mayor, Councillor Lawrence Archer, said there is a need to be prepared for a steep increase in building and planning applications to house both construction and long term employees.
“If the paper mill proceeds, large scale development and the associated growth will provide great economic benefits to our region,” he said. “But it will need to be carefully managed.”
The Tasmanian owned company, Gunns Limited, announced in February that it will conduct a comprehensive environmental, economic and social impact study on a $1.2 billion mill at Bell Bay – its preferred site. Seven Councils have cautiously welcomed the proposal for a $1.2 billion pulp mill in Bell Bay that could generate as many as 1,500 permanent jobs as well as create 8,000 jobs during construction.
The Mayors of Launceston, West Tamar, George Town, Break O’Day and Northern Midlands Council together with the Deputy Mayors of Meander Valley and Dorset Councils met in Launceston last month consider the proposal. This meeting discussed the need for an Integrated Impact Statement (IIS) to be prepared to ensure all environmental requirements are met.
“We are confident that the proposed mill will be world’s best practice and, if developed, will deliver great economic benefits, maintaining our environment and continuing to make our area one of the best places in Australia to live.”
The Mayoral meeting also discussed the issue of regional water supplies and the need for the proposed scheme to have no adverse impact on the current water supplies as well as future needs.
Gunns Limited Executive Chairman, John Gay, expects the IIS to be presented to the independent Resource Planning and Development Commission by July.
“A final decision regarding investment in the Tasmanian Pulp Mill Project will be made by the Gunns Limited board following conclusion of the approvals process,” he said. “Gunns selected Bell Bay because of its wood supply capacity and supporting infrastructure including road, rail, power, gas and port access. One of the key advantages of Bell Bay is that the area is already zoned heavy industrial. With the existence of Comalco, Starwood, Temco and the Bell Bay Power Station, the area is ideally suited to a project of this type.”
