What does Gunns have to do now to obtain final approval?
Gunns must now carry out hydrodynamic modelling and further related studies before the minister will consider the final three modules. Hydrodynamic modelling predicts what will happen to the effluent from the mill once it enters the marine environment. Gunns will undertake this over a full year so that it is aware of how the effluent will behave in different seasons. For instance, in winter when the seas are rougher, the effluent may dilute and disperse faster compared to the summer months when there are higher temperatures and calmer seas. The department has approved the organisations Gunns proposed to undertake this critical environmental work, and the measurement program and modelling studies have now started. Gunns must also develop response strategies, on the basis of the results of the modelling, which must be implemented in certain scenarios. Basically, the modelling will give a greater level of certainty about the impacts on the Commonwealth marine environment, and the response
