Solution found to community concerns

By Paul Smith, General Manager Operations

FORESTRY Tasmania and the Tasmanian Ports Corporation (Tasports) have today reached an agreement to move the fumigation of whole pine logs bound for China from Burnie Port to an anchorage approximately two nautical miles offshore.

Work to investigate the feasibility of moving the fumigation offshore intensified after  TasPorts representatives and I met the Burnie City Council on Tuesday night.

In summary, we were reassured by the council’s support for Forestry Tasmania, forest contractors and TasPorts, but also understood concern that the fumigation issue could damage efforts to change perceptions about Burnie and its industrial past.

There was general agreement that much of the community concern was based on perception rather than fact, but nevertheless those concerns could damage Burnie’s brand.

Forestry Tasmania and TasPorts had been examining a range of alternatives before the meeting, but we intensified our efforts when we understood the basis of the council’s concerns.

It’s a relief to be able to finally settle on a solution that will satisfy most reasonable people.

A detailed risk assessment has been carried out in accordance with all the relevant authorities for the offshore fumigation and Tasports have advised they are confident they will be able to successfully carry out the fumigation offshore.

Tasports’ trained and licensed employees, with all appropriate safety equipment including breathing apparatus, will carry out the operation and monitor conditions during the fumigation and controlled venting of methyl bromide. These employees have the expertise and authority to suspend the fumigation if adverse sea and weather conditions arise.

To ensure the safety of all other sea users, Tasports will also apply for and publicise an exclusion zone around the ship during the operation.

Following the fumigation, the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service will inspect the ship’s holds to ensure the operation has been undertaken successfully.

The ship ID Black Sea is now scheduled to arrive at Burnie Port between the 9th and 11th of July after first visiting Bell Bay. Once loaded it will move to an anchorage North-East of the Burnie breakwater where the fumigation will be carried out.

Given the level of concern, justified or not, FT will in future avoid requiring in-hold methyl bromide fumigation of ships at berth.

Exports are important to the economy and to keeping forest contractors in work. We will now work strenuously to either identify new markets, or new ways to export, where in-hold fumigation is not required.