Castrilli lacks credibility on mill proposal

21/6/05
A major inconsistency in the City of Bunbury's approach to planning approvals for Bunbury Port was highlighted in Parliament today by Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan.
Ms MacTiernan said while the City of Bunbury was going to extreme lengths to block the WAPRES chip mill, in 2003 the city approved a rival company's chip mill without the proposal even going to council.
After recently accusing the Government of not listening to the community on a proposal for a woodchip mill at Bunbury Port, it has been revealed that when Bunbury MLA John Castrilli was Mayor of Bunbury, he did not allow any public consultation for a similar facility at the port.
Ms MacTiernan told Parliament that a development application for the Hansol woodchip mill was dealt with as a minor matter by the City of Bunbury and was not considered important enough to be advertised or go to council.
"However, on the same day that officers approved the mill, the council was dealing with such pressing matters as signage for a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet, and applications for ensuites, walk-in-robes and carports," Ms MacTiernan said.
"Under Mr Castrilli's leadership at the City of Bunbury, two similar proposals have been treated completely differently - he has no credibility on the issue.
"Indeed, it was the approval of the Hansol mill that made it commercially necessary for its competitor, WAPRES, to seek a similar approval.
"Mr Castrilli should support the WAPRES proposal in the same way that he supported Hansol, so we can get on with the job of upgrading the railway line and help take heavy vehicles off South-West roads.
"The EPA has found that the mill, which would operate only by day, and 600m from the nearest resident, would have insignificant noise impact on nearby residents."
Minister's office: 9213 6400