Tourism entrepreneur Graeme Wood has warning for Tassie politicians

TOURISM entrepreneur Graeme Wood has revealed he was close to pulling the pin on a multimillion-dollar development at Triabunna.

Graeme Wood at the former mill site who is the owner of Spring Bay Mill at Triabunna. Launch of Spring Bay Mill at Triabunna.

TOURISM entrepreneur Graeme Wood has revealed he was close to pulling the pin on a multimillion-dollar development at Triabunna because of what he calls political interference.

In response to questions by TasWeekend, Mr Wood unleashed a tirade of abuse against Tasmanian politicians, warning them to keep their noses out of his development plans.

“If they interfere too much, I’ll go away,” Mr Wood said. “I’ve got so many investment opportunities outside Tasmania.”

His anger stems from the parliamentary inquiry set up by the State Government to investigate the sale of the former Gunns mill at Triabunna to Mr Wood and fellow environmentalist Jan Cameron.

The inquiry committee concluded Mr Wood’s tourism plans should be supported.

“I do not engage in political discussion in Tasmania any more,” Mr Wood said.

“I ignore politics in Tasmania because it’s so inane and stupid and inbred.

“Politicians come and go ... and I’ve got such little regard for them, I can’t be bothered talking to them,” he said.

Ms Cameron has since walked away from the Spring Bay Mill development after a brief legal dispute with Mr Wood.

Mr Wood told TasWeekend there were no hard feelings.

He confirmed his original $50 million development plans, which were to include accommodation, gardens and a conference centre, were being downgraded.

“I’m revisiting it in the hope that we can find a scaled-down version that we can start work on,” Mr Wood said.

“It’s become more realistic.”

Grab up a copy of TasWeekend in your Saturday Mercury for reporter Sally Glaetzer’s in-depth interview with animal-loving “deal junkie” Jan Cameron.