Yesterday, Tasmania's Upper House passed the "fast track" legislation for the mill. While the Upper House did call for some ammendments, the bill still stands with many of its worst aspects still intact. http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,21467754-5007221,00.html has the details
One of the clauses in the legislation stated that if the pulp mill did not meet Tasmania's environmental guidelines, it can still be passed if it meets other "best practice" guidelines elsewhere in the world.
Just when I thought I’d finished my campaign for the truth about the proposed mill, I found that the Forestry Industries Association of Tasmania is now quoting me as endorsing the pulp mill.
Yes that’s right, a full page advert in the Hobart Mercury and the Launceston Examiner by Forestry Industry Association of Tasmania stated, amongst other things:
It was the perfect day to finish. My destination was Constitution Dock, the final stop of all good Sydney to Hobart voyages, and as I addled the final leg I thought about all the afdverntures, all that had been achieved, and especially, everything that’s going on right now.
After two days of hellish headwinds, the last two days have been like paddling in heaven.
The water is still, but a political storm is brewing
Leaving Spring Beach I did about 40k through to Marion's Bay, stopping just short of the Dunally Canal and making camp. Today I paddled through Norfolk Harbour around to South Arm in the stillest possible conditions, the water mesmerising in the morning sun.
Meanwhile, a political storm is brewing over the Pulp Mill. As you know, i've taken a very conservative approach to this issue. My view has always been that jobs and wealth creation are positive, but that resources must be utilised for the optimal economic, environmental and social result.
Saturday the 18th March and I was determined not to get caught in the afternoon winds like the day before, so I woke up at 5:20, packed up the tent and slipped out of the cove before sunrise.
Unfortunately, all to no avail. The Westerly was up before I was, and in a carbon copy of the day before, I got caught in a squall within minutes of leaving the shelter of the cove. This time there was no swell, but the pre-sunrise wind was icy, and having blown up so suddenly the chop was steep and closely gathered. The kayak could rise over the first wave, but then plunged through the next, bringing it to a near complete halt as water hit me square in the chest. Battling the chop and the 25-30knot headwind was like paddling through concrete. After an hour of that nonsense I was absolutely stuffed, arms like lead, cold, and it was only 7am with 24k to go to landfall.
Squall in a Wineglass
The last update was from Bicheno, where I stopped for lunch for Mum and Dad who’d just flown in from NSW. I was really excited about paddling down the Freycinet Peninsula, and indeed that afternoon’s paddle past the Friendly Beaches, under the lighthouse on the Cape Tourville’s imposing cliffs and into Sleepy Bay was majestic. Even though it was almost 70kms for the day, the gentle tailwind made paddling a pleasure, and the scenery passing by on the starboard side was ample distraction.
I'm at Bicheno, pulled in for lunch after paddling 30k from Little Beach, with 40k to go to Sleepy Bay, just short of Wineglass Bay. Mum and Dad met me yesterday at Scamander and it was a very happy reunion after 2 and a half months, and we had a long catch up over dinner as well. Since then its been nothing but paddling, with perfect weather and incredible coastline. With a nice tailwind blowing today is destined for paddling, and the next leg takes me to the Hazards - the granite cliffs of the Freycinet Peninsula - it just keeps getting better
After a week in Launceston, I resumed the journey last Saturday, 13th March from Tomahawk. The paddle took me back around Cape Portland in view of Clarke and Cape Barren Islands, Flinders a shadow on the horizon. During the Bass Strait crossing these islands represented both challenge and safety, now they seem like old friends.
It was great to be back in the kayak, and after a week of eating huge meals at the Whish-Wilson's I felt like I had energy to burn. Just as well since it was freezing cold paddling mostly into headwinds ever since.
Too much happened in Lonnie to describe, but I met with people who will be involved in the Round Table, and also tried to find people who are in favour of the pulp mill - they are few and far between. I think its important to listen to the "other side" and in the end I did find an intelligent, informed mill supporter and had a really illuminating conversation. I'll report on that later. I also ate fantastic food and participated in the Rally and drank fine wine from the Tamar vineyards and my mentor Andy Small came down for a quick visit and spent time with Rob Palmer from the LEC, and got auctioned off by Leo Schofield and did some fund raising and went rock-climbing in the Cataract Gorge, so all in all it was a fantastic and very productive week
...and not a drop to drink
On Saturday 3rd March a rally was held to protest Gunns proposed mill.
While the last rally focused on dioxin pollution of the Bass Strait. this rally focused on Gunns proposed use of 26 Gigalitres (thats 26 billion litres) of fresh water per year. Gunns have struck a deal to pump their water straight from the Trevallyn Dam which provides Launceston's fresh water. 
Aria-award winner Rebecca Gibney is one of Australia's most loved actresses, and after going for a paddle with her, I can see why.
Rebecca joined me for a short leg of my trip up the Tamar Valley, her first time in a kayak. Rebecca took to paddling like a duck to water, and within minutes was heading fearlessly for Whirlpool Reach. The way Rebecca was kayaking, I had to check that she hadn't sent in a body-double.
Rebecca and her partner Richard Bell live here, and their two year old son was born in the valley. Rebecca doesn't consider herself a greenie, but as a Mum and resident she feels obliged to speak out. Her concerns include human health, water use, impact on the "clean, green" brand enjoyed by the Tamar Valley, and the potential impact on businesses who depend on that brand.
