Surfrider branch wants offshore gas stopped

THE Surfrider Foundation’s Surf Coast branch has joined a new campaign calling for a halt to seismic blasting and drilling for gas exploration off Australia’s southern coast.

The group held its latest branch meeting on Tuesday last week at Torquay’s Patagonia store, where members discussed the “Save Our Southern Sea Country” campaign and what could be done next.

According to the foundation’s website, the fossil fuel industry is actively looking to expand its operations into the Southern Ocean, particularly the waters between north-west Tasmania and the west coast of Victoria.

This includes the offshore Otway Basin, meaning that “unique and world renowned areas, including the 12 Apostles, King Island and the Great Ocean Road are all under threat,” the foundation stated.

“It seems both the oil and gas companies and our governments are hellbent on turning the Great Ocean Road into the Great Ocean Industrial Gas Zone, with the area fast becoming an offshore hub for gas production.

“Drilling for gas in our wild southern oceans is a disaster just waiting to happen.

“Offshore gas rigs and heaving 20 foot monster swells charging in from the south west are a dangerous combination.

“Not to mention the destructive impacts these gas corporations are having on the climate crisis as they pillage our planet all in the name of greed, leaving our communities vulnerable and crushing the hopes of future generations.”

Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast is urging the community to sign a change.org petition that demands the state and federal governments cease any further expansion of fossil fuel exploration in Commonwealth waters next to to the Tasmanian, South Australian and Victorian coastline

The petition, which has more than 10,500 signatures so far, states seismic testing could severely affect the fisheries on the Great Ocean Road that contributed $22 million of added value in the 2016/17 financial year as well as the region’s tourism market.

“In Victoria, to be exploring for gas less than 5km from the iconic 12 Apostles is an atrocity.

“This coastline is world renowned, and in 2016-17, catered to over 5.1 million visitors who spent $1.3 billion and generated employment for over 9,200 people.

“The Victorian tourism industry, coastal communities and the livelihood of local fishermen will be heavily impacted by the further industrialisation of the coastline.”

To read the petition and/or sign it, head to change.org/p/stop-oil-and-gas-exploration-in-tas-vic-sa-save-our-southern-sea-country