Multi-million cost of carbon pollution from logging in East Gippslandand Southeast forests, Greens MPs send invoice to Eden Chipmill
Following a visit yesterday to Eden Chipmill Greens MPs from Victoria,NSW and ACT have forwarded to the mill's general manager an invoice forthe estimated cost of the carbon pollution generated as a result of2006/7 logging.
Greens MPs Sue Pennicuik (Victoria), Lee Rhiannon (NSW) and Deb Foskey(ACT) toured the Eden Chipmill today with Peter Mitchell, GeneralManager, and Peter Rutherford, Forestry Manager, with South East FibreExports Pty Ltd.
"Our visit today to the Eden Chipmill was informative and weappreciated the briefing we were given by the SEFE management team.However, the challenge of climate change has thrown up more reasons whyour magnificent native forests in East Gippsland and southeast NSWshould be protected and logging discontinued," Ms Pennicuik said.
"To highlight the damaging impact this chipmill operation is having onthe global as well as the local environment today we have sent aninvoice to Mr Mitchell for the estimated cost of the carbon pollutiongenerated by logging linked to the Eden Chipmill.
"The invoice for $181 million has been determined using the latestdata on the amount of carbon dioxide released by logging based on anestimated $10 per tonne cost for carbon dioxide under an EmissionsTrading Scheme.
"The $10 per tonne figure is conservative. Using Sir Nicholas Stern$107 per tonne of carbon dioxide figure set out in his report to theBritish government this invoice would rise to $1.9 billion.
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said, "One of the most significant actions wecan take to cut Australia's greenhouse gas emissions is to stop nativeforest logging.
"A climate change priority for the NSW and federal governments is toclose down the Eden Chipmill and develop a restructuring package thatinvolves retraining and jobs for the 70 chipmill workers.
"Our precious forests are of far greater value to the world as acarbon bank than as a shipload of woodchips heading to Japan.
Greens MP Deb Foskey said "I will be working closely with my NSW andVictorian colleagues on this campaign to expose the threats posed byforestry destruction and woodchipping to climate change.
"Native forests should not be felled for woodchips, electricitygeneration or to drive the profits of overseas companies. The richsoutheast biodiversity must be protected.
"Closure of the chipmill will be a win for the environment and theeconomy, as the pollution cost burden will be removed.
Copies of the invoice and letter to Mr Mitchell available on request.
For more information - Sue Pennicuik 0407 000 270,
Lee Rhiannon - 0427 861 568,
Deb Foskey - 0413 223 585
