Poll shows polarisation on pulp mill

The survey, commissioned by Gunns and carried out by Southern Tasmanian-based company Myriad Research, found that 37 per cent of those contacted supported building the proposed $2.3 billion mill.

Of the 1002 people surveyed across the state, 40 per cent opposed the mill and 23 per cent did not have an opinion either way.

The survey also found that 72 per cent of Tasmanians were aware of the new state forest agreement.

In terms of the forestry industry, 45 per cent were supportive of the industry, with 20 per cent against it.

The phone survey was held over three weeks from February 22 to March 15.

Gunns managing director Greg L'Estrange said that the poll results showed that Gunns had more work to do to convince Tasmanians that the pulp mill was safe and would not adversely effect marine and air environments.

"We also clearly need to communicate more strongly that the mill will be 100 per cent plantation-fed as the survey found that a surprising 35 per cent of Tasmanians are unsure or think that the raw material will be from native forests," Mr L'Estrange said.

Other key findings include:

•Support for the proposed mill is strongest on the North-West Coast (52 per cent) and the Tamar Valley (45 per cent) and weakest in Launceston (34 per cent) and Southern Tasmania (27 per cent).

•Blue-collar workers and men are more supportive of the project and the company than white- collar workers and women.

•The way Tasmanians view Gunns is similar to their pulp mill support, with 32 per cent positive, 34 per cent with no opinion and 34 per cent negative.