We have local support — Tassal

TASMANIA’S biggest salmon company is focusing on the local support it says exists for its Okehampton Bay project.

Tassal senior manager corporate engagement Barbara McGregor said research told the company the development had strong support in the Triabunna township.

“Triabunna locals in a majority favour the project, which will see Tassal become the largest employer for the town,” Ms McGregor said.

“The support is confirmed by the fact that 125 local people turned out for an employment forum, with more than half applying for roles.

“We have been very impressed with the standard of local applicants for employment at Okehampton and are confident in the local team we have built for the East Coast operation. This is exceptionally import- ant to Triabunna, which has experienced devastating economic loss following the demise of the forestry industry. Many families have fly-in, fly-out partners, and the opportunity to work locally where they grew up, went to school and live is very exciting for them.”

Ms McGregor said the number of poll participants who said they were undecided about the fish farm presented an opportunity for Tassal to convince people their were best practice.

“We see it as an opportunity to tell our story, for example, to inform people that the Okehampton lease has been a working marine farm for more than a decade, that mussels are already grown on site, and that we have been trialling for two years ecoaquaculture projects such as seaweed rejuvenation which delivers environmental benefits,” she said. operations