![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/DSC07259-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Mr Tehan said the coastal towns in his electorate were perfectly safe.<\/p>\n
“Community members are very engaged but very sensible, very respectful and I love coming to these coastal towns, they’re very much part of my electorate.”<\/p>\n
Mr Tehan said he could personally vouch for the company’s safety.<\/p>\n
“If TGS has any concerns, I’d be more than happy to facilitate meetings because I know that everyone would be incredibly respectful.<\/p>\n
“I am happy to facilitate and I would give them a guarantee that I am sure it would be incredibly respectful.”<\/p>\n
Corangamite federal member Libby Coker wrote to TGS in May requesting a consultation session on the Surf Coast.<\/p>\n
Replying to Ms Coker’s request, TGS stated past interactions in Torquay had raised potential safety concerns.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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 sparked significant environmental concerns.<\/p>\n The companies have applied for a controversial Special Prospecting Authority permit to carry out the work.<\/p>\n In March, government regulator NOPSEMA returned the project’s Environment Plan to TGS for revisions, citing issues with the consultation process.<\/p>\n Mr Tehan said NOPSEMA was regarded internationally as a credible organisation for its work.<\/p>\n “But it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be looking at continued improvements.<\/p>\n “What I would like to see is going back to the system where the proponents themselves seek the licence because then they have a direct interest in how the community consultation occurs.”<\/p>\n He also reiterated his previous concerns about the size and scope of the project.<\/p>\n “I have deep concerns,” Mr Tehan said.<\/p>\n “What has tended to happen normally when these licences are granted is it’s the proponent themselves that seeks the licence.<\/p>\n “So they’ve got a direct interest in proper community consultation.<\/p>\n “With this, the size of it is too large and the community consultation has suffered as a result of that.”<\/p>\n TGS has not responded to multiple interview requests.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" WANNON federal member Dan Tehan has added his support to growing calls for TGS to consult with coastal towns, personally guaranteeing their safety during the consultation process for a planned seismic blasting project in the Otway Basin. The global energy data company recently declined to hold consultation sessions in Torquay, Aireys Inlet, and Lorne, which […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/naja-bertolt-jensen-_24793.jpg\")