Council opposes new oil and gas in Otway Basin

THE Surf Coast Shire council is officially opposed to any new oil or gas in the Otway Basin.

At their meeting on July 27, a majority of councillors supported a motion moved by Cr Kate Gazzard and seconded by Cr Liz Pattison to oppose the federal government’s 2021 Offshore Petroleum Acreage Release.

This release includes a large area of ocean to the east of the existing gas fields and just to the south of the 12 Apostles Marine National Park.

Cr Gazzard’s motion states the council opposes all new oil and gas exploration and development and seismic testing in the Otway Basin – which stretches about 500 km and is about 80 per cent offshore – and will communicate its opposition to current operators in the basin.

Under the motion, the council will also request the federal government revise the Annual Offshore Acreage Release Process in relation to future releases for the Otway Basin by considering climate, consulting with local communities that may be impacted, undertaking appropriate environmental assessments, and engaging with Traditional Owners before the release.

“Gas is a fossil fuel, burning gas causes climate change, gas is methane and releases carbon dioxide at every step of the supply chain, whether that’s exploration, extraction, transport and burning,” Cr Gazzard said. “So digging for new gas goes directly against us declaring a climate emergency and our Climate Emergency Corporate Response Plan.

“We don’t need more gas – yes, there’s concerns of gas shortages, but we have plenty of options when it comes to energy.

“We can use solar, and wind, and other renewables, the benefits of which are far greater than gas.”

She said the risks of new drilling were low but “catastrophic for our region”.

“Seismic testing and drilling pose danger to our marine wildlife, and the possibility of a gas leak or spill is just unacceptable to me and to many in our community.

“Our community don’t want this and are in strong opposition to any new gas exploration in our area, and this is evidenced by petitions and lots of emails that we’ve received recently.”

Cr Paul Barker, who opposed the motion along with Cr Heather Wellington, said he had also received many emails from people who wanted to ban oil and gas exploration, “but it’s not all people”.

“This is a federal issue, so if we all start getting emails about income tax, are we going to write to the federal government? I don’t think so.”

He said he was on the record as not supporting the Climate Emergency Corporate Response Plan, and opposed any further council resources being used on what was a state and federal issue.

“The increase in rates is directly attributable to the amount of services and effort that the council expends, and if we’re going to continually get involved in every single issue that is not a council responsibility, in my eyes, then it’s going to continue the upward pressure on rates and reduce our ability to focus on the basics.”