Southwood activists score a victory

BY GEOFF FRANCIS

HOBART — Environmental activists have chalked up a significant victory
by forcing the state government to announce on June 5 that it is “shelving
its plans for a deep water port at Electrona in south-east Tasmania”. The
port was to have been used for the export of woodchips from the Southwood
woodchip mill that Forestry Tasmania is proposing to build in the Huon
Valley.

Deputy Premier Paul Lennon admits that his government has buckled in
the face of massive public opposition. This opposition is based on a potential
threat to water quality and marine life, as well as the future of the aquaculture
industry.

Forestry Tasmania's response has to been to assert (in advance of any
planning outcome being determined) that its woodchip mill and power station
project will definitely go ahead, come what may. To that end, it has stepped
up its already massive TV advertising campaign.

The decision to abandon the Electrona port has given heart to anti-Southwood
campaigners. Not only has it indicated that the campaign is capable of
winning victories, without a local port, the woodchip mill and power station
becomes even less economically viable.

Other major absurdities in the scheme are still being revealed. For
example, it has been estimated that for up to three months each year, the
power station will need to take more water out of the Huon River than actually
flows through it at that point.

Campaigners are not allowing themselves to become complacent and are
planning to redouble their efforts. “Taking Electrona out of the equation
may be no more than a ruse by Lennon to defuse opposition to the main project”,
explained Alex Bainbridge of the Democratic Socialist Party. “If Southwood
goes ahead, Electrona could be back on the government's agenda once the
state elections are out of the way. The only way to be sure of stopping
the port at Electrona is to kill off the proposed woodchip mill and power
station at Southwood.”

Premier Jim Bacon makes no secret of his friendship with the woodchip
industry. Under his government, woodchipping has grown to record proportions
(despite a continuing loss of jobs). Bacon is vocal in his determination
to continue expanding the industry, despite overwhelming public opposition,
as reflected in the government's own “Tasmania Together” forums.

[Geoff Francis is a resident of the Huon Valley and campaigner against
the Southwood project.]

From GLW issue 452