The Wire

Can building a pulp mill be as easy as tacking on a rumpus room or a carport? Maybe not quite but the approcal process can be pretty similar. A 650 million dollar pulp mill has been approved for Penola in South Australia’s premier wine growing region, but it hasn’t been declared a major project and as a result an environmental impact statement is not required and the concerns of the community haven’t been properly addressed. It’s a good example of why communities around Australia need to be vigilant about developments being proposed. Mark Parnell of the South Australian Greens explains how big business can be given a back door access to the planning system.