Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Stephen Cox on August 21, 2012 at 11:57pm

I tnink Woodchipping is a dying industry simply because of Electronic Media as far as newspapers are concerned ,Less so with hardcover quality books,But why can't we develop a high class saught after Hand made top line Furnitire Industry so we can preserve and manage old Growth Forests and value add for export and local Jobs.

Craftmanship is and should be maintained and is timeless,We could be making beautifull Guitars and other Instruments in Tasmania but to do so we need to keep ther Rabid Greens under Control.

 

With Guitars for Instance there are two Big names Gibson and Fender,Gibson was stitched up with massive punitive fines and loss of hundreds of thousands of dollards of fine exotic timbers as the Greens in the US charged they were using non sustainable Rainforest timbers.

What a crock ever been in a Tropical rainforest,You can damm near see the trees growing so Gibson who may use a few thousand linear feet of fine timbers a year couldn't make a dint on any forest if they tried as they use such timber for handmade low volume specials.

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 22, 2012 at 9:41am

..... From Burnie on the north west coast on timber processing and mining in the area : 

Amid doubts whether Tamar Valley pulp mill proponent Gunns will get that project running, Ald Altimira's motion included that the council:

Write to Premier Lara Giddings, the government, Gunns and MPs about the idea of revisiting Hampshire as a pulp mill site;

ask council staff to pursue alternative proponents of a Hampshire mill; and,

back the prospectus idea.

Instead, the council backed a three-part motion from Ald Ryan, largely based on staff recommendations.

It was that the council -

Seek a briefing on the potential of high-value production in the NW timber industry;

seek government funding for an "innovation road map" for the North-West timber industry; and,

push for funding for feasibility studies on a laminated veneer lumber processing mill, a pilot bio-fuel processing facility and a pilot bio-char processing facility in the Burnie region.

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/237452/funds-sought-for-forestr...

EVERYONE would benefit from new mines, according to Burnie Mayor Steve Kons.

Asked about the council's position on a string of environmentally controversial mines being mooted for the Tarkine, Ald Kons said most of the mines would have a small footprint.

"Even Savage River, that has a relatively small footprint for the amount of economic development they generate.

"They abide by environmental guidelines, generate wealth and jobs and stop people leaving the state."

Burnie would benefit from new mines via its export port, its large manufacturing base and the fact some of the workers would be expected to be based (and to spend) in the municipality.

"We are used to living with the mining infrastructure on the North-West Coast and we see the benefits it creates socially and economically.

"Manufacturing benefits, retail benefits, everyone benefits."

The Tarkine National Coalition and other environmentalists oppose new mines planned for the Tarkine, with Venture Minerals Ltd's plans for at least three mines in the Tullah area particularly targeted of late....

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/237455/tarkine-projects-backed/...

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 22, 2012 at 9:56am

Meanwhile there is internal bickering in Green's ranks:

THE NSW Greens' leading Senate candidate for the next election has been accused of questioning the integrity of party staff and levelling unfounded charges.

A harshly worded 87-page internal party report on the bitterly fought preselection won by Cate Faehrmann has ripped aside party secrecy and revealed the depths of factional division within the state.

The NSW Greens held their annual general meeting at the weekend.

The Greens are notoriously secretive - the only major party that does not open at least part of its conferences to the media.

The report - and equally tough comments in response by Greens members that have appeared on a closed party website, both obtained by The Australian - illustrate the infighting between the hard-left "Eastern Bloc" faction allied to senator Lee Rhiannon, a Moscow-line communist even after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the more environmentally focused "Deep Green" grouping.

The report was prepared by returning officer and Sydney City councillor Chris Harris, a member of the Eastern Bloc.

"The preselection process was highly adversarial," he wrote.

The report slams Ms Faehrmann, an opponent of the Eastern Bloc faction.....

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/bullying-backbitin...

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 22, 2012 at 3:00pm

The Greens are not the only enemy in Tasmania as they are joined by Federal Labor. Rather than helping the Saw Mills in Tasmania the Labor Party is helping them to close their business and thus put more people out of work. Shame Tony Burke Shane!

A $15 million package for sawmillers wanting to exit the industry will be rolled out by the end of next week. 

The state and federal governments are finalising the guidelines in consultation with stakeholders. 

Late last week, Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said he expected the program would be opened for applications within two weeks. 

The criteria will be released at the same time. 

The Federal Government has allocated at least $15 million to fund the voluntary sawlog buyback under the intergovernmental agreement.

It follows last week's request from groups involved in the forestry peace talks to start the process immediately.....

http://www.examiner.com.au/story/237430/sawmiller-program-close-to-...  

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 22, 2012 at 3:23pm

But Tasmania is not willing to take this sitting down:

THE Burnie City Council wants government money for studies which may find a way forward for the struggling forestry industry.

After a convoluted process last night, the council decided against new measures supporting a Hampshire pulp mill, as advocated by Ald Jim Altimira.

"If anyone supports this (offering to fund a prospectus for Hampshire subject to support from Gunns) what are they representing here, the ratepayers of Burnie or Gunns?" Ald. Malcolm Ryan asked......

 

......Instead, the council backed a three-part motion from Ald Ryan, largely based on staff recommendations.

It was that the council -

Seek a briefing on the potential of high-value production in the NW timber industry;

seek government funding for an "innovation road map" for the North-West timber industry; and,

push for funding for feasibility studies on a laminated veneer lumber processing mill, a pilot bio-fuel processing facility and a pilot bio-char processing facility in the Burnie region.

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/237452/funds-sought-for-forestr...

 

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 22, 2012 at 3:52pm

But the Greens and Greenpeace have not just targeted mining in Tasmania they are also working against it in New South Wales as well.

THE NSW Greens says the state government should shelve consideration of two Hunter Valley coal mining projects until the corruption watchdog completes a major inquiry into mining licences.

Former NSW treasurer Eric Roozendaal and his former Labor colleagues Ian Macdonald and Eddie Obeid will be the focus of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) when it holds public hearings from November.

ICAC will examine the tendering processes and circumstances surrounding the granting of a series of coal exploration licences near the NSW Hunter Valley.

Greens NSW MP Jeremy Buckingham said the Mount Penny coal project in the Bylong Valley and the Doyles Creek coal project near Jerrys Plains are proposed within exploration licence areas but are also subject to the inquiry.....

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/nsw-must-halt-mi...

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 22, 2012 at 3:56pm

And the Green protesters are earning their wages in NSW:

NSW Resources Minister Chris Hartcher says he expects police to intervene if protesters continue blockading a Hunter Valley coal seam gas (CSG) drilling site.

About 30 people are protesting at Fullerton Cove, north of Newcastle, angered by Dart Energy's approval to drill four CSG pilot wells.

The group began the blockade on Monday, with police threatening to evict them.

However, a police spokeswoman said on Wednesday they would instead offer the protesters an alternative site, and that officers would "play it by ear".

Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group spokesman Lindsay Clout says residents are unlikely to accept any offer of an alternative protest site.

"The site that we have is preventing the access to their roadworks and that's where we're focusing on," Mr Clout told AAP.

But Mr Hartcher said Dart's application had been subject to a comprehensive environmental assessment from both the state and federal governments, and had been deemed "safe".......

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/police-expected-...

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 22, 2012 at 7:23pm

The forestry debate discussed in parliament today:

The Tasmanian Opposition has used the first day of Parliament to continue its attack on the Government over the forest peace deal.

Parliament has resumed after an eight-week winter break and Tasmania is still without a final agreement from industry and environmentalists.

Opposition Leader Will Hodgman was ready to pounce.

"When will you get the message to rip up this disastrous deal?"

Shadow treasurer Peter Gutwein joined the attack, accusing the Resources Minister of demanding last week's interim agreement to save face.

"One of the signatories was about to jet overseas on a private holiday for three weeks."

The Minister, Bryan Green, rejected the suggestion.

"To suggest that I somehow elbowed them into an agreement is just complete rubbish, those people have done an outstanding job," he said.....

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-21/libs-pounce-in-parliament/421...

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 22, 2012 at 9:39pm

I meant to answer this contribution previously Stephen. Wood chips are used to make particle board etc where wood pulp which is smaller is used for paper and other products. It is the wood chips product that was a great market seller to Japan who made it into building boards that were then sold to other countries as well as Australia. It was this market that the Greens and Greenpeace targeted for attack overseas and they were very successful at this.

Fond regards

Caroline

Stephen Cox said:

I tnink Woodchipping is a dying industry simply because of Electronic Media as far as newspapers are concerned ,Less so with hardcover quality books,But why can't we develop a high class saught after Hand made top line Furnitire Industry so we can preserve and manage old Growth Forests and value add for export and local Jobs.

Craftmanship is and should be maintained and is timeless,We could be making beautifull Guitars and other Instruments in Tasmania but to do so we need to keep ther Rabid Greens under Control.

 

With Guitars for Instance there are two Big names Gibson and Fender,Gibson was stitched up with massive punitive fines and loss of hundreds of thousands of dollards of fine exotic timbers as the Greens in the US charged they were using non sustainable Rainforest timbers.

What a crock ever been in a Tropical rainforest,You can damm near see the trees growing so Gibson who may use a few thousand linear feet of fine timbers a year couldn't make a dint on any forest if they tried as they use such timber for handmade low volume specials.

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 22, 2012 at 9:43pm

Could the Greens be looking toward Wind Power generation here?

Tasmania's Energy Minister Bryan Green has labelled his minority government partners hypocrites over their energy policy.

The Greens want Hydro Tasmania stripped of its ability to sell the power it generates and say its subsidiaries Momentum and Entura should be sold.

While the Government does not support the plan it has agreed to undertake Treasury modelling, much to the frustration of the Liberal's Matthew Groom.

"Isn't your Government's interest in the Greens' GenTrader Model yet another example of the Green tail wagging the Labor dog?".....

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-22/power-struggle-over-greens27-...

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 22, 2012 at 9:47pm

Power

The divide over the future of Tasmania's energy sector is expected to dominate debate when State Parliament resumes today after an eight-week winter break.

Labor's plans to overhaul the energy sector were last week dealt a major blow, with its minority government partner announcing a conflicting policy position.

The Greens want Hydro Tasmania stripped of its ability to sell the power it generates.

But Labor Minister Michelle O'Byrne is confident the parties can reach a compromise....

Forestry

The Opposition is also expected to use the resumption of Parliament to step up its criticism of delays in finalising a forest peace deal.

The Government had hoped to introduce legislation to implement the forest peace deal after the winter break, but despite three extensions industry and environment groups are yet to reach a final agreement.

Mr Hodgman says the Government is abrogating its responsibility and would not rule out a no-confidence motion.

"I, every day, express no confidence in this Government. They continue to fail Tasmanians in so many respects."

Meanwhile, a meeting to protest against the forest peace process attracted 250 people at Huonville last night.

The forum was organised by the Liberal Party which has called on the Government to abandon the process after more than two years of talks.....

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-21/heat-turning-up-on-power-deba...

 

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 23, 2012 at 6:16pm

On News 24 Environmental Quarter just before 6pm GetUp interviewed Christine Milne re the extension of mining in the Tarkine area. If it becomes available on their website later it is worth watching as people from the big island will see how many trees there actually are in Tasmania. Talk about a Greens/Greenpeace Alliance.

Tony Burke will have the final say re this issue. He got it wrong re the super trawler I hope he gets this decision right as we have the highest unemployment rate in Australia. Why do not you Mainlanders invite Milne up there for a very long holiday???

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