Groups say permit offer ignores community views on gas

A PAIR of environmental groups say the Victorian government is ignoring strong community sentiment about fossil fuel projects, following the continued offering of two exploration permits to the market.

The Victorian government sought comment in August and September about the proposal to invite applications for permits in areas in the Otway Basin and Gippsland Basin, respectively.

The Otway Basin parcel covers 54sqkm and is located between Warrnambool and Port Campbell, close to the Bay of Islands Coastal Park and west of the Twelve Apostles.

According to the government’s public consultation report on the 383 submissions about the proposal, key concerns included the environmental effects of seismic surveys, risks to marine biodiversity, pollution, and impacts on climate change targets.

On Wednesday this week, Environment Victoria and Friends of the Earth Melbourne both stated the two projects could have “grave environmental impacts” through seismic blasting, marine ecosystem damage and groundwater drawdown.

“The government has completely ignored community concerns about seismic blasting and risks to Gippsland’s groundwater in opening up these tenders,” Environment Victoria senior climate and energy advisor Dr Kat Lucas-Healey said.

“These are serious, lasting impacts and for what? For the last dregs of Victorian gas.

“Gas use in Victorian homes and businesses is plummeting as people switch to much cheaper and more efficient electric alternatives. Opening up new exploration of a rapidly diminishing resource only cultivates uncertainty, which costs households and businesses.”

Friends of the Earth Melbourne offshore gas campaigner Stan Woodhouse said resistance to gas projects in Victoria had a long history, and the community response to this consultation was “swift and damning”.

“Victorians made it clear they do not want new gas exploration and drilling in our delicate ecosystems. Regardless, the Allan Government is putting the permits out to tender.

“Once again Labor has ignored the community and bowed to industry pressure, using the falsehood of the east coast gas crisis to strong-arm communities into accepting unwanted, unnecessary fossil fuel projects.

“This decision directly opposes the best science that we have available: it is abundantly clear that if we want to have any hope of averting a climate catastrophe there must be no further development of any fossil fuels.”

In its response in the public consultation report, the Victorian government stated it remained committed to minimising seismic surveys by preferencing any applications that do not require offshore seismic testing.

“The government will continue to enforce best-practice environmental requirements and will require early and meaningful consultation with affected communities and Traditional Owners.”