Ann: Becoming a substantial holder , page-49

when is buying,not buying---certain conditions?,smells like,looks like a poor joke on workers,especially when Gumps can't reach the threshold with their ACTU union boos Kelty,then what has any other peanut crowd got?,that Gump hasn't?



New mill owner to outline plan
NICK CLARK | June 14, 2011 02.00am


THE new owner of the Triabunna woodchip mill is expected to outline his plan for the operation today.

Aprin Logging director Ron O'Connor has been negotiating with Gunns Ltd for several weeks but it is not known for certain that a contract has been signed.

His media adviser Mike Lester said on Saturday that Mr O'Connor needed to finalise some details and talk to employees and the local community before he could confirm the purchase.

Gunns Ltd has not made an announcement to the ASX. It was unable to do so yesterday because of the Queen's Birthday holiday.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission records show Mr O'Connor established a new company, Fibre Plus (Tas) Pty Ltd, on June 8, which has the address of the Triabunna Mill 555 Freestone Rd as the principal place of business.

Speculation about Mr O'Connor's purchase came as entrepreneurs and environmentalists Graeme Wood and Jan Cameron announced a desire to develop a tourism precinct on the mill site.

Mr Wood said he understood the Aprin deal had several conditions, including the need for the federal forestry agreement to be signed.

"There are no guarantees that will go through," he said.

"If it does fall through, the mill will be back on the market and that's why we're still keen."

Statement of Principles facilitator Bill Kelty is expected to tell the Federal Government by June 30 whether he believes an agreement is possible.

An agreement could result in the conservation of up to 570,000 ha of Tasmanian forest, leaving little for country sawmillers.

Mr O'Connor believes an outlet for pulpwood and sawmill residue is critical to the future of the sawmilling industry in Tasmania.

Tasmania's two other native-forest chip mills owned by Gunns Long Reach and Hampshire have been closed and the Massey Green mill at Burnie is on the market.

Gunns is expected to close its sawmilling operations, with the loss of up to 350 jobs, by the end of June.

In recent months sawmillers have sent residue to Triabunna on the basis that they would be paid if a shipment was ordered.

Gunns lost eight shipments because of the fallout from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

Mr O'Connor could not be contacted yesterday.