TGS cites safety in Surf Coast snubbing

GLOBAL energy data company TGS has declined to participate in an in-person consultation session in Torquay, citing safety and logistical concerns.

This decision, which has baffled residents of the seaside town, comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding a planned seismic blasting project in the Otway Basin and criticism over the consultation process.

Corangamite federal member Libby Coker wrote to TGS in May requesting a consultation session on the Surf Coast.

Replying to Ms Coker’s request, TGS stated past interactions in Torquay had raised potential safety concerns.

 

 

Ms Coker expressed disappointment with the response from TGS.

“Torquay is an amazing, passionate and respectful community who want to have a constructive conversation with the companies,” Ms Coker said.

“I hope the proponents will reconsider.”

 

 

The three-dimensional multi-client marine seismic survey proposed by TGS and energy company SLB involves using airguns to map the ocean floor, a process that has raised significant environmental concerns.

The seismic blasts can reach 250 decibels, posing risks to marine life and fisheries.

The companies have applied for a controversial Special Prospecting Authority (SPA) permit to carry out the work.

In March, government regulator NOPSEMA returned the project’s Environment Plan to TGS for revisions, citing issues with the consultation process.

However, the subsequent round of community consultation in May has been criticised as “box-ticking” and failing to properly engage with the public, particularly First Nations communities.

The community drop-in sessions took place in Portland, Port Fairy, Warrnambool, and Apollo Bay, but none were scheduled for the Surf Coast.

 

 

At the Apollo Bay session last week, the Otway Coastal Environment Action Network (OCEAN) group conducted a peaceful demonstration.

OCEAN campaigner Mitch Pope said the peaceful vigil outside the TGS drop-in session was not designed to disrupt the session or to refuse engagement with TGS.

“Rather, it was to spread the message that communities along this coastline are unequivocally opposed to this project, and that proper consultation has been non-existent.”

Fellow campaigner Greta Carroll said the sessions were purely for show.

“We knew about the sessions with about a week’s notice, and there was very little or no advertising for communities.”

The group presented a TGS representative with a letter on behalf of the Otway, Apollo Bay, Surf Coast, and Bellarine communities.

 

 

“We wanted them to hear us, to listen to our experience and our outright rejection of their plans,” Ms Carroll said.

TGS did not respond to requests for interview prior to publication.