pulp mill opponent rejects gunns' approach

ABC NEWS

Updated Mon Feb 7, 2011 3:17pm AEDT


Gunns plans to build the controversial pulp mill next to its Tamar Valley woodchip mill. (ABC News)
The chief executive of timber company Gunns, has written to a long time opponent of the company's pulp mill, seeking urgent talks.

Gunns' chief executive, Greg L'Estrange, wrote to the leader of the Tasmanians Against a Pulp Mill group, Bob McMahon on January 25.

Mr McMahon has posted the letter on a Tasmanian website.

In the letter, Mr L'Estrange explains the problems facing Gunns, and Tasmania's forestry sector, describing jobs "disappearing at an alarming rate".

Mr L'Estrange informs Mr McMahon that Gunns has made changes to the $2.5 billion pulp mill since it was first proposed and offers him a briefing on the project.

The Gunns Chief Executive has asked Mr McMahon to work with the company to further Tasmania's forest industry and says the discussion needs to happen "now".

But Mr McMahon has declined the invitation.

"Not after six years or so of being ignored definitely not especially as it's simply designed for them to take advantage of community engagement," he said.

"They'd be able to claim 'yes we've engaged with the community we have the social licence' so if there's any, anyone foolish enough out there to be an investor in a pulp mill they can say 'look we have public support'."

A Gunns spokesman has confirmed the company sent the letter to Mr McMahon and other individuals as part of the company's strategy to better engage with the community.

First posted Mon Feb 7, 2011 3:08pm AEDT