Mayors back Equinor’s Bight oil drilling plans termed “reckless” by environmentalists

Environmental groups have labelled a Norwegian company’s plans for oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight as “insane” and “reckless” — but local mayors feel differently.

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Regional leaders have welcomed Norwegian company Equinor’s transparent approach to its plans to drill in the Great Australian Bight, saying they trust the federal regulator to ensure the highest levels of safety are met.

Equinor on Tuesday released its environment plan for 30 days of public consultation, despite not being required to do so, before submitting it to the federal regulator NOPSEMA for assessment.

While there was an outcry from environmental groups opposed to any form of drilling in The Bight, the Mayors of Port Lincoln, Kangaroo Island and Ceduna said, with appropriate oversight, they were comfortable with Equinor’s plans.

Former State Liberal MP and now Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly said Equinor was “way out in front’’ when it came to being open with stakeholders.

Mr Pengilly said his council had never opposed drilling and he did not accept the suggestion from some quarters that there was growing community opposition to drilling.

The drilling rig and construction vessel, with a fishing boat at left used for scale.

“My view is that the council motion of some years ago, that if NOPSEMA grant approval to oil and gas search in The Bight, that they issue strict guidelines and procedures on that, I think that was quite sensible,’’ he said.

Port Lincoln Mayor Brad Flaherty said the city had to look at the opportunities to create generational employment, that came its way.

“From the city’s point of view, if we can work out strategies where we can have new industries working with old industries, that would be wonderful,” Mr Flaherty said.

“But we also have to make sure we have all the environmental safe guards in place.”

Ceduna Mayor Perry Will, who is “neither for or against it”, said it was good to see progress.

“It’s been hanging around for a long time,” Mr Will said.

“It’s up to NOPSEMA to make a decision, they are the federal regulator.”

Federal Resources Minister matt Canavan said: “The release of these plans allow everyone to have their say about Equinor’s proposal.

“Responsibility for assessing those plans lies with the independent authority NOPSEMA. We have a robust regulatory system that has allowed for the safe development of Australia’s oil and gas resources.’’

Environmental groups have labelled Equinor’s plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight as “insane” and “reckless” and brushed aside the Norwegian company’s extended plans to provide for safe drilling. Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young told ABC radio that people should be “terrified” about the prospect of drilling in The Bight.