Equinor given permission to drill in Great Australian Bight

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) announced its decision last week.

The Wilderness Society’s modelling on the potential impact of an oil spill in such a location has shown it could affect much of Australia’s southern coast, including parts of Tasmania.

Mass protests across the Surf Coast as well as elsewhere along Australia’s southern coast against Equinor’s plan have taken place throughout the year.

The first paddle out in Torquay took place on March 3 and the latest was staged on November 23 in what was labelled Fight for the Bight – National Day of Action.

Damien Cole, one of the key figures in organising these protests, said both the decision and its timing was disappointing.

“To do it so quickly and a week before Christmas, on the day we have the record temperatures across Australia and fires across the country, it’s appalling.”

But despite the news, Mr Cole said he was determined to keep fighting against the planned drilling.

“This has only just begun, and as we see the consequences of this climate emergency becoming more and more apparent, more and more everyday Australians are really going to start stepping up and becoming more vocal.”

NOPSEMA had asked Equinor to amend their initial submission but were content with the changes made in their resubmission.

Equinor is looking to conduct exploratory petroleum drilling from November 2020 onwards.

Among the concerns about Equinor’s drilling is their lack of community consultation.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific head of campaigns Jamie Hanson said this was apparent in the various community groups that opposed the drilling.

“Today’s approval flies in the face of experts, communities, Traditional Owners, surfers, coastal families, and the South Australian seafood industry, who have all relentlessly campaigned against plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight for over five years.

“The company has been ordered to consult appropriately with the Mirning and Ngarrindjeri Nations. It is flabbergasting that they have to this date refused to do so, despite the pleas of elders and community members.”

Equinor have said they will be conducting their drilling more than two kilometres off the Australian coast.