pulp mill permit confusion

Pulp mill permit confusion
Updated August 22, 2011 12:48:13
ABC

It is unclear who will have the final say on whether Gunns has met the requirements of the its pulp mill permits, allowing the project to proceed.

The timber company has until the end of the month to show it has made substantial progress on the construction of its Bell Bay pulp mill, otherwise its permits will lapse.

Gunns says it has met permit requirements with some roads already built and earth works starting this week.

But opponents claim the project is doomed.

The Premier, Lara Giddings, does not know how much work Gunns has done on the $2.5 billion pulp mill.

"It's not an issue for me to make a decision upon," she said.

Opposition leader Will Hodgman says the matter needs to be clarified.

"It's not good enough for Lara Giddings to have no clue," he said.

Mr Hodgman wouldn't be drawn on whether he supported an extension for Gunns.

It is not clear who has the final say.

Several government departments including infrastructure, energy and resources, councils, public health and the Environmental Protection Authority have all issued permits.