Big Pulp Mill Message To Mr Turnbull On Bondi Bch

Giant Pulp Mill Message To Mr Turnbull On Bondi Beach

Giant banners spelling the message STOP THE PULP MILL have been unveiled on Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach, in a clear message to Federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Turnbull urged to 'Stop the Pulp Mill' in giant red letters

The statement, over 70 metres long in big red letters six metres deep, calls on Mr Turnbull to protect Tasmania's future by rejecting Gunns' proposed pulp mill.

Mr Turnbull is understood to be announcing his decision on the pulp mill this week. He has received the report from the federal government's chief scientist Dr Jim Peacock and it is believed that this report highlights inadequacies in scientific research so far undertaken by Gunns.

"Mr Turnbull's only credible option is to reject the pulp mill," said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for The Wilderness Society. "Gunns has failed to do the necessary studies to reassure scientists about the pulp mill's effluent, this should be reason enough for it not to be built."

"Logging causes climate change and the pulp mill will consume vast areas of unprotected native forest releasing stored carbon as emissions. Just feeding the pulp mill would represent the equivalent of putting an extra 2.3 million cars on the road each year," said Mr Bayley.

The impact of feeding the pulp mill's annual consumption of 4.5 million tones of timber on forests and climate change has not been assessed.

The Stern report on climate change stated that 'curbing deforestation is a highly cost-effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Action to preserve the remaining areas of natural forest is needed urgently'.

"On the issue of climate change we see both major political parties claiming they have policies that address this issue. Yet both parties are supporting a pulp mill that would lock in excessive levels of logging and ongoing carbon emissions into the future."

"Protecting existing forests should be the first step in any credible climate change policy," concluded Mr Bayley. "Approving the pulp mill could shut the door on this option and commit future generations to excessive emissions and worsening weather conditions such as drought."

ENDS

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