Port Lincoln Council backflips on oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight, opposing the move amid spill fears
PORT Lincoln Council has backflipped on its stance on oil and gas drilling in the Great Australian Bight, voting to stand with local industries worried about the “devastating impacts” of a major oil spill.
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PORT Lincoln Council has backflipped on its stance on oil and gas drilling in the Great Australian Bight, voting to stand with local industries worried about the “devastating impacts” of a major oil spill.
The council last night voted 5:4 in favour of Cr Graham Mantle’s bid for the council to oppose the practice, with Norwegian oil company Equinor planning to start drilling at the end of 2019.
It followed a failed push for the council to take a stand against drilling last month.
Cr Graham Mantle said it was clear the district’s large fishing and aquaculture communities held serious concerns about oil and gas exploration and drilling.
“If there’s a major spill it would devastate the industry — it could wipe it out completely,” Cr Mantle told The Advertiser.
“The tuna industry made it very clear, and the oyster growers and kingfish farmers, that they couldn’t recover from that sort of thing.”
Cr Mantle said there was an “overwhelming response” from locals who spoke at a council-run public meeting last month, who were worried about drilling.
“While oil and gas are still essential to all aspects of our economy, that is changing very quickly,” his motion read.
“Renewable energy has already taken hold in South Australia and other states are following our lead.
“Our legitimate concern is that spills do happen and the pristine environment on which our
established industries depend would be damaged to an unacceptable extent as a consequence.”
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) — regulates offshore oil exploration.
However, some councils across the state, including Kangaroo Island, Victor Harbor and Holdfast Bay, have written to the body to call for a ban on exploration in The Bight.
An industry-commissioned report, released last month, found petroleum development in The Bight could create up to 1500 jobs and billions in annual tax revenue.
About 250 people attended Port Lincoln’s meeting on the topic last month, with 18 out of the 20 who gave presentations opposed to oil and gas exploration.
On August 20, Port Lincoln Council voted 4:4 against calling for a ban on oil and gas exploration, with Mayor Bruce Green using his casting vote to defeat that move.
At the time, he said the “anti people” had been vocal on the issue, but others were looking forward to the jobs and economic activity the industry would create.
“I am convinced that with proper regulation the oil and gas industry can coexist with our fishing and tourism industries,” Mr Green said at the time.
But Mr Green this morning said it was his job to support the council’s latest decision.
“One of the elected members changed their mind — that was enough to tip the balance,” he said.
The council’s previous failed motion called for Port Lincoln to write to other councils, the State and Federal Governments, and also NOPSEMA, opposing oil and gas exploration in The Bight and calling for a ban.
But under last night’s push — a much softer move — the council will stand with its local industries in expressing concern about the possible impacts of a spill, and declaring its opposition to exploration and drilling in The Bight.
“The remote possibility of an oil spill, which concerns us greatly, doesn’t feature highly in the factors that create government policy,” Cr Mantle said.
“I don’t expect earth shattering things to happen from this decision. We’ve just joined other councils that have expressed similar views.”
Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association external affairs director Matthew Doman said the industry was “supported by many in the Port Lincoln community who see the benefits successful, sustainable and safe oil exploration could bring the region”.
“The industry will continue to listen and respond to those in the community who have questions or concerns about our planned activities,” he said.
“Those activities will of course only proceed after extensive environmental approvals and further community consultation.”
Do you think oil and gas drilling and exploration should be allowed in the Great Australian Bight? Leave your comment below.