This website documents a 2000km journey by Kayak from Sydney to Hobart - a protest against a pulp mill proposed by Tasmanian forestry giant Gunns Ltd.
The journey took place in 2007 at a critical juncture. Gunns dominated every aspect of Tasmania’s public and political life, including the media, and were suing anyone who stood against them. The 'Gunns 20’ actions later became a legal and PR debacle, but at the time a climate of fear pervaded.
The timing was also critical for the pulp mill proposal. As I prepared to cross Bass Strait, the mill came unstuck in the RPDC - Tasmania’s independent planning assessment panel. The day I arrived in Hobart, the Tasmanian parliament was debating an act just for Gunns, one which would circumvent the RPDC and ‘fast track’ the mill.
Gunns spun their proposal as a choice between the environment and the economy. They spruiked the mill as a $6.7billion boon, yet conveniently failed to mention the costs. Fisheries polluted with dioxins, agriculture deprived of water, the destruction of the Tamar Valley wineries, tourist buses replaced by logging trucks. Not to mention ancient forests clearfelled for fax paper.
The purpose of my paddle was to change the debate. I believed the mill would be an environmental and economic disaster for Tasmania. I set out to raise the funds to prove it.
The following pages document a physical adventure, complete with sharks, storms, and striking beauty. A political adventure of skulduggery, abuse of power and cowardice. A love story. An economic analysis. A quest for truth.
The outcome? Blinded by the desire to get one up over the greenies no matter the cost, Gunns had no contingency plan. Profitability slipped then avalanched. A shareholder revolt saw Chairman John Gay deposed. At the time of the paddle, Gunns shares hovered around the $3 mark. Today they trade at 19 cents. As Gunns grip loosened,the will of the majority found expression.
On 7th August 2011, the historic Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement was signed by the State and Federal governments, supported by major stakeholders including Forestry Tasmania, the Wilderness society and Gunns. The agreement will provide $276 million in economic stimulus and retraining for Tasmania’s native forestry industry in return for protecting Tasmania’s iconic forests. The Wilderness Society continues to monitor the agreement to ensure that its obligations are fulfilled.
I feel privileged to have been one small cog in the wheel, to have stood in that line of thousands who have taken a stand, done more and risked far more than I, for the forests.
The Styx, Upper Florentine, Huon, Picton and Weld Valleys. The Great Western Tiers, Tarkine and Wielangta. These are names which may mean nothing to those who have not walked in their hallowed reaches.
For those who have stood on that soft earth, the remains of a thousand trees fallen, stretched their necks and their spirits to comprehend those which tower above them, it is enough to know. 23rd November 2011 Arriving Constitution Dock, March 21st, 2007
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**Japanese***
きみにも是非この旅に参加してもらいたい。
道すがら、僕たちは手付かずの海岸を探検し、肉体の限界に迫るだろう。そしてまた、僕達世代がもう無視できない環境と経済の問題に向き合うことになるだろう。
ゴールはホバート、そして製紙工場の案をより良い方法に変えること。このsustainableな未来に向けて、請願書にサインしたり、ドネーションで参加できる。
ただこの問題を世界に広めるだけでもいい。
僕とパドルしに来る？
より良い未来に向かって手を伸ばそう。