Coker and Henderson fire up over gas well

THE Corangamite Shire council has no immediate objections about a plan for a gas well under the Port Campbell National Park and near the Twelve Apostles starting production, while two of the Geelong region’s federal representatives have taken opposing stances on the issue.

Beach Energy applied in February for ministerial approval to convert Enterprise-1 – which starts onshore between Port Campbell and the London Bridge rock formation and runs underground to the southeast for 3.5 km – from a testing well to a production well.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio gave her consent, under the National Parks Act 1975, earlier this month.

Corangamite Shire sits just to the north of the Port Campbell National Park and the Twelve Apostles, and mayor Ruth Gstrein said the municipality had an established gas industry that provided important jobs and economic activity.

“As with existing gas wells off the coast, we understand that any new gas wells will be subject to extensive environmental controls and will not be visible,” Ms Gstrein said.

The ministerial consent follows the federal government’s announcement of the 2021 Offshore Petroleum Acreage Release, which includes a large area of ocean to the east of the existing gas fields and just to the south of the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park.

Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker said she remained opposed to drilling in the Twelve Apostles or any marine national park.

“Marine national parks are only around six per cent of the Victorian coastline, and they are crucial to maintaining biodiversity and our unique marine eco-systems,” she said.

“The Twelve Apostles are also one of Australia’s most iconic tourism destinations, and play a key role in our region’s economy and jobs growth.

“Anything that interferes with the amenity of this beautiful landscape should be opposed on both economic and environmental grounds.

“The Twelve Apostles is protected as a marine national park, which means no drilling can occur within those boundaries.

“As a community, we need to continue to be vigilant in protecting both the marine parks and the amenity of this whole area.”

Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said she welcomed the ministerial consent but said Ms Coker had been “spreading a deliberate campaign of misinformation” about the acreage release.

“This acreage release was originally approved by Labor.

“We know Labor is deeply divided when it comes to guaranteeing the affordable gas supplies which are crucial to Victorian households and businesses.

“The Morrison Government has a clear plan for a gas-led recovery to keep the power running in our homes and businesses, and drive new jobs for our state.”

The notice of consent can still be reversed as it will not come into effect until it has been tabled for 14 sitting days in both the lower and upper house of the Victorian Parliament.