	{"id":135697,"date":"2024-05-24T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=135697"},"modified":"2024-10-11T10:45:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T23:45:51","slug":"blasting-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/blasting-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"Otway Basin blasting slammed for poor consultation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>THE community consultation process for a planned seismic blasting project in the Otway Basin has come under fire for again failing to properly engage with the public, particularly First Nations communities.<\/p>\n<p>Seismic surveying, also known as seismic blasting, is a precursor to offshore oil and gas drilling. It involves ships towing setups of airguns and sound receivers through the water. These devices release intense blasts into the ocean to map the ocean floor.<\/p>\n<p>The blasts reach a rating of 250 decibels, which is higher than that of atomic bombs.<\/p>\n<p>There is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0025326X17306744?via%3Dihub\">growing body of research<\/a> highlighting the detrimental effects that blasting can have on marine life and fisheries.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_135889\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-135889\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-135889\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/AA8I8763_58721-e1711717052370-300x157.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/AA8I8763_58721-e1711717052370-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/AA8I8763_58721-e1711717052370-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/AA8I8763_58721-e1711717052370.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-135889\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Surfrider Foundation hosted a paddle out against Otway Basin blasting on March 23. Photo: NICK GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Data firm TGS and energy company SLB are seeking a joint special prospecting permit from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to conduct blasting in the Otway Basin.<\/p>\n<p>However, just hours before a <a href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/community-shows-paddle-power-against-seismic-blasting-proposal\/\">community protest in Torquay<\/a> on March 23 got underway, this newspaper learned that NOPSEMA <a href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/seismic-blasting-regulator-presses-pause-as-community-rallies\/\">would not approve the application<\/a> in its current form due to issues with the submitted Environment Plan (EP).<\/p>\n<p>A NOPSEMA spokesperson said at the time that part of the assessment process includes the manner in which the consultation process has been conducted.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_136000\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-136000\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/surfrider-foundation-to-host-paddle-out-against-otway-basin-blasting\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-136000\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/SCT-COVER-22-MARCH.jpg?_t=1716435802\" alt=\"The paddle out at Torquay's Cosy Corner beach was one of the biggest rallies the Surf Coast has ever seen. \" width=\"400\" height=\"565\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/SCT-COVER-22-MARCH.jpg 813w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/SCT-COVER-22-MARCH-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/SCT-COVER-22-MARCH-725x1024.jpg 725w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/SCT-COVER-22-MARCH-768x1084.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-136000\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Front page news: The paddle out at Torquay&#8217;s Cosy Corner beach was one of the biggest rallies the Surf Coast has ever seen. Photo: ANGUS SMITH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In the days following the protest, the Otway Coastal Environment Action Network (OCEAN) drafted and submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to determine the grounds on which the application had been returned.<\/p>\n<p>On Monday this week, NOPSEMA responded to the request with a heavily redacted document, leaving only the cover letter visible.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cover letter to TGS from NOPSEMA stated, \u201cFurther written information is requested to demonstrate that the requirements of the Environment Regulations have been met.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_135946\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-135946\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-135946\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-23-at-12.13.52\u202fAM-210x300.png\" alt=\"Everything but the cover letter was blacked out. Image: SUPPLIED\" width=\"400\" height=\"572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-23-at-12.13.52\u202fAM-210x300.png 210w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-23-at-12.13.52\u202fAM-716x1024.png 716w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-23-at-12.13.52\u202fAM-768x1099.png 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-23-at-12.13.52\u202fAM-1073x1536.png 1073w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-23-at-12.13.52\u202fAM.png 1336w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-135946\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Everything but the cover letter was blacked out. Image: SUPPLIED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>OCEAN campaigner Lisa Deppeler said the request was submitted to better understand what information NOPSEMA considered important.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We didn&#8217;t think it would be a problematic request; we were surprised we needed to submit an FOI at all. This information should be freely available.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The only thing they didn&#8217;t redact entirely was their cover letter; that was useless.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_135891\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-135891\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-135891\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-22-at-11.45.36\u202fPM-300x213.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-22-at-11.45.36\u202fPM-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-22-at-11.45.36\u202fPM-1024x725.png 1024w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-22-at-11.45.36\u202fPM-768x544.png 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-22-at-11.45.36\u202fPM-1536x1088.png 1536w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-22-at-11.45.36\u202fPM-2048x1451.png 2048w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-05-22-at-11.45.36\u202fPM-132x94.png 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-135891\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">On Monday this week, NOPSEMA responded with a heavily redacted document, with 25 of the 26 pages blacked out. Image: SUPPLIED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The approach to the FOI request seems consistent with complaints that community members have been treated poorly throughout the process.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re gobsmacked that they gave us nothing!&#8221; Ms Deppeler said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We will appeal the decision.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast branch secretary Darren Noyes-Brown said that despite being unable to read the document, the fact that it was 25 pages long was revealing.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s 25 pages of things that they [NOPSEMA] wanted fixed up; that&#8217;s a pretty big list.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_135998\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-135998\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-135998\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/D8A7890-scaled-e1705538076712-1536x806-1-300x157.jpg\" alt=\"Apollo Bay residents turned out in force earlier this year to protest proposed seismic blasting in the Otway Basin. Photo: AMBER NOSEDA \/ GREAT OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHY\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/D8A7890-scaled-e1705538076712-1536x806-1-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/D8A7890-scaled-e1705538076712-1536x806-1-1024x537.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/D8A7890-scaled-e1705538076712-1536x806-1-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/D8A7890-scaled-e1705538076712-1536x806-1.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-135998\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Apollo Bay residents turned out in force earlier this year to protest proposed seismic blasting in the Otway Basin. Photo: AMBER NOSEDA \/ GREAT OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The previous community consultation in 2023 came under fire for being deeply flawed.<\/p>\n<p>On March 4, four days before NOPSEMA returned the EP to TGS, <a href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/news\/coker-wants-seismic-blasting-decision-halted\/\">Member for Corangamite Libby Coker wrote to NOPSEMA<\/a>, detailing the frustration and anger of her constituents.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Numerous people across my electorate of Corangamite and throughout the broader region of Victoria\u2019s south-west have approached me to voice their anger and frustration at the proponents\u2019 inability to \u2018meaningfully engage\u2019 with them.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In light of these deeply concerning criticisms, I request that NOPSEMA delay a decision regarding the TGS\/SLB-Schlumberger proposal until a review is conducted into the consultation process engaged by the proponents.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is absolutely essential that the local voices of our First Nations peoples, the business community and residents are heard.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_135950\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-135950\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/news\/coker-wants-seismic-blasting-decision-halted\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-135950\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Copy-of-Feature-Image-2-300x158.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Copy-of-Feature-Image-2-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Copy-of-Feature-Image-2-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Copy-of-Feature-Image-2-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Copy-of-Feature-Image-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-135950\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">In March, Libby Coker (right) called for a halt on the decision of seismic blasting in the Otway Basin in a letter to NOPSEMA chief executive Sue McCarrey (Left).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>TGS kicked off a second round of community consultation with a webinar last week on May 15.<\/p>\n<p>Attendees in the first online forum told this newspaper that the format was disorienting.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Cameras were turned off, and questions had to be added in the chat box, with only some being selected for a response,&#8221; Mr Noyes-Brown said.<\/p>\n<p>Yaraan Couzens Bundle, a Keerray Woorroong and Gunditjmara Whale Dreaming Custodian, said the second round of consultation seemed more like a box-ticking exercise.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been a misleading process,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_135940\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-135940\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-135940\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Blast30_32479-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Blast30_32479-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Blast30_32479-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Blast30_32479-272x182.jpg 272w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Blast30_32479.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-135940\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Whale Dreaming Custodian Yaraan Couzens Bundle (left) and Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe (right) at the Torquay rally. Photo: ANGUS SMITH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The seismic blasting project, if approved, would begin as early as October this year and traverse marine parks and whale breeding grounds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhale dreaming is a sacred, integral part of the Gunditjmara First Nations people,&#8221; Ms Bundle said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re representing the whale dreaming and the songlines, our oceanic songlines in particular, our whale songlines, which is a foundation of who we are as First Nations people.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhale dreamers and the people that have direct cultural responsibilities to care for those totemic species are directly affected and impacted, and our cultural practice is therefore impacted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s directly connected to the birth of past and present southern right whales along the southwest coastline of Victoria and across the Southern Ocean.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_135931\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-135931\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-135931\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/290A5631-2-300x188.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/290A5631-2-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/290A5631-2-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/290A5631-2-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/290A5631-2-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/290A5631-2-2048x1280.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-135931\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yaraan Couzens Bundle, speaking at the March 23 paddle out rally in Torquay. Photo: MATT SEDUNARY PHOTOGRAPHY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ms Bundle established The Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective (SOPEC) in 2022 to help navigate the issues.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We demand to be consulted genuinely and on terms that are suitable to us and that work around our cultural obligations and responsibilities during whale season,&#8221; Ms. Bundle said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a really unfair process, and we hope that through the regulatory channels they will listen to us and stop because it&#8217;s morally and environmentally wrong.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut it&#8217;s also deeply spiritual for us, and therefore it&#8217;s culturally wrong as well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_135896\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-135896\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-135896\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/290A5695_89176-300x188.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/290A5695_89176-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/290A5695_89176-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/290A5695_89176.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-135896\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Thousands of Surf Coast residents and ocean lovers gathered and over 500 paddled out for one of the biggest protests of its kind. Photo: MATT SEDUNARY PHOTOGRAPHY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ms Bundle said many First Nations people were not even aware of the proposal until local fishermen tipped off OCEAN, who then involved SOPEC in the project.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs First Nations, we believe the Gunditjmara are Local First Nations, we believe that we should have the right to our own consultation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat&#8217;s why we&#8217;ll be demanding an in-person community consultation,\u201d Ms Bundle said.<\/p>\n<p>She said First Nations groups were tired of government bodies talking about First Nations rights but failing to listen when it matters.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd if they don&#8217;t listen to us, we will be taking further steps to ensure that we are heard on a global level.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_135897\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-135897\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-135897\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Blast29_32432-2-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Blast29_32432-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Blast29_32432-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Blast29_32432-2-272x182.jpg 272w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/Blast29_32432-2.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-135897\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker, attended the paddle out in Torquay in March. Photo: ANGUS SMITH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Drop-in sessions are scheduled this month for Portland, Port Fairy, Warrnambool, and Apollo Bay but none are scheduled for the Surf Coast.<\/p>\n<p>This week Ms Coker wrote to TGS and SLB calling on the companies to host a consultation session in Torquay.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;On behalf of my community, I have written a letter to the proponents urging them to host a face-to-face consultation session in Torquay,&#8221; Ms Coker said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;These companies must be upfront with locals about the revised proposal.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In light of the concerns of my community and the criticisms of the consultation methods employed so far \u2013 I have also called on the proponents to hold all sessions outside of working hours to ensure community members have the best opportunity to attend.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And let me be clear, I\u2019ve said it before \u2013 and I\u2019ll say it again \u2013 a poorly run consultation process can lead to dire implications for our environment, local jobs and the regional economy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_135894\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-135894\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-135894\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/OGRALLYHERO-4_61549-300x174.jpg\" alt=\"Protests have swelled along the coast since January, with communities from Ocean Grove to Apollo Bay voicing a united rejection of the seismic blasting proposals.\" width=\"600\" height=\"348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/OGRALLYHERO-4_61549-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/OGRALLYHERO-4_61549-768x446.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/OGRALLYHERO-4_61549.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-135894\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Protests have swelled along the coast since January, with communities from Ocean Grove to Apollo Bay voicing a united rejection of the seismic blasting proposals.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A TGS spokesperson said the EP would be resubmitted to NOPSEMA in early June.<\/p>\n<p>Due to the redacted FOI and limited detail and clarity from NOPSEMA it is unclear if approval of the application is contingent on the latest round of information sessions.<\/p>\n<p>An OCEAN spokesperson said the organisation is now appealing the decision with the help of FOI expert and former Senator Rex Patrick.<\/p>\n<p>Details for the sessions are available online at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.klarite.online\/tgs-otway\">klarite.online\/tgs-otway<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>THE community consultation process for a planned seismic blasting project in the Otway Basin has come under fire for again failing to properly engage with the public, particularly First Nations communities. Seismic surveying, also known as seismic blasting, is a precursor to offshore oil and gas drilling. It involves ships towing setups of airguns and [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/blasting-backlash\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":178,"featured_media":135886,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-135697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Otway Basin blasting slammed for poor consultation - Surf Coast Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Otway Basin seismic blasting plan criticized for lack of transparency. 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