Woodchip fears raised

Residents question health implications of Dover port plan

INVESTIGATING the health implications of the proposed woodchip port at Dover was among the concerns raised at a pubic meeting last night.

It was standing room only at the Huonville Town Hall as about 300 people arrived to have their voices heard.

The State Government has granted Southwood Fibre con- sent to lodge a development application with the Huon Valley Council for the $42 million facility on 28ha of Crown land at Strathblane.

More than 300 submissions were received by the council before the meeting — 247 for the proposal, 63 against and seven submissions unsure.

Key issues raised during the public submission phase were health risks, environmental impacts, loss of public land and negative effect on the economy through a loss of jobs.

Most people in the crowd were clearly opposed to the port, applauding every time a successful motion opposed to the development was passed.

A local GP put forward a motion asking the council to do everything in its power to investigate the health risks of the proposal including con- cerns around the woodchip stockpiles and the known risks associated

The ability to download the development application, should one be received, was a recurring theme and was eventually allowed with conditions.

Far South Future Alliance spokeswoman Rachael Trueman said it was a great night for those opposed to the proposal.

Huonville commissioner Adriana Taylor spoke to the Mercury after the meeting and said between 7-10 motions against the woodchip proposal were passed.

Ms Taylor praised the crowd for being respectful of differing views.

“It was a good meeting and people were overwhelmingly respectful to each other,” she said.

Ms Taylor said many of the motions would only be rel- evant should a valid development application be submitted.

At the next council meeting a report will be presented by the council in response to the motions passed.

Ms Taylor reminded ratepayers that if a development application was submitted they would need to write to council again to submit their views during the public consultation phase.