Gunns
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Gunns Limited (ASX: GNS) is a major forestry enterprise located in Tasmania, Australia. Founded in 1875 by brothers John and Thomas Gunn, it is one of Australia's oldest companies. It has over 900 square kilometres of plantations, mainly eucalyptus trees. It is Tasmania’s biggest private land-owner. The company employs over 1200 people and has a turnover in excess of AUS$600 million. Gunns also runs retails stores throughout Tasmania including several Mitre 10 outlets and the Tamar Ridge winery.
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[edit] Environmental criticism
The company has been the focus of major criticism from environmentalists, primarily for its four export-woodchip mills which produce 4 million tonnes of chips annually. Green groups claim that native forests are harvested specifically for woodchipping, whereas Gunns claim that the majority of their chips come from residue from their sawmilling and veneer operations. Gunns' major customers are paper producers in Northern Asia, mainly Japan, including Mitsubishi, Nippon and Oji Paper. Gunns has also been criticized for its logging operations in the Styx Valley and for its use of 1080 poison.
[edit] Gunns 20
Main Article (Gunns 20)
In 2004, Gunns filed a writ in the Supreme Court of Victoria, against 20 individuals and organisations. These included Senator Bob Brown. Opponents of Gunns have claimed that the writ was intended to discourage public criticism of the company (see SLAPP). Gunns have maintained that they are merely trying to stop people from breaking the law and disrupting their activities.
The original Statement of Claim issued by Gunns was struck out by the Supreme Court and costs were awarded against Gunns for the initial proceedings [1].
[edit] Pulp mill
The company is endeavouring to build a $1.3 billion pulp mill in the Tamar Valley, near Launceston. The mill proposes to use the Kraft process, Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleaching, and fed with eucalypt forests. The proposed mill is supported by the State Government for its economic and employment benefits but opposed by The Wilderness Society, Tamar Residents Action Committee, Rainforest Action Network and Tasmanian Greens on environmental grounds and the amount of taxpayers' money that will be spent supporting the project.
Gunns claims its development could create 300 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs in the George Town area, as well as 3,000 jobs for construction purposes [2].
On September 16, 2006 A protest rally against the proposed pulp mill was held in Launceston with estimates ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 people attending. Speakers included Greens politician Christine Milne and TV-Gardener Peter Cundall.
The pulp mill is potentially dangerous to the environment and the efluent released into Bass Strait could harm the local marine life. Also with a large timber intake, Gunns will be forced to log old forests in Tasmania. Locals are also considering the negative impact the mill could have on the Tamar Valley.
[edit] Interstate expansion
Gunns has extended into mainland states of Australia, with a presence in Western Australia where it operates a Jarrah sawmill.
