Vic: Judge expedites pulp mill appeal

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2007
Vic: Judge expedites pulp mill appeal

A Federal Court judge has granted an application to expedite an appeal over a two billion
dollar pulp mill proposal for Tasmania's Tamar Valley.

The appeal concerns a decision by the same court earlier this month to reject a challenge
by the Wilderness Society and business group Investors for the Future of Tasmania .. to
the federal government's environmental assessment of the project.

Pressing for an expedited hearing today .. counsel for the Wilderness Society RICHARD
NIALL told the court there was a real risk a federal government decision on the mill could
be made and work commence .. before the appeal was heard.

Project developer Gunns Limited and federal Environment Minister MALCOLM TURNBULL neither
consented nor opposed the application.

In granting the appeal .. Justice ALAN GOLDBERG said it was important to consider
the public interest element.

A date for the hearing is yet to be set .. but the Wilderness Society expects it'll
be held in October.

AAP RTV mok/gfr/jmt

KEYWORD: PULP APPEAL (MELBOURNE)

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