What SA really thinks about drilling in the Great Australian Bight

An Advertiser survey of almost 1400 people on drilling for oil in the Great Australian Bight has revealed some emphatic results.

• What dwells beneath: Great Australian Bight’s hidden treasures
• Fight for The Bight: Why drilling divides South Australians

Three out of four South Australians would not support drilling for oil in the Great Australian Bight, even if it would drive down their fuel prices.

An Advertiser survey of almost 1400 people on drilling for oil in the Great Australian Bight has revealed some emphatic results.

EXPLORE THE FULL RESULTS OF THE SURVEY.

It comes as retailers last week hiked the cost of unleaded petrol by up to 50c a litre, prompting anger from motorists and welfare groups.

Almost 75 per cent of survey respondents said they would not be more likely to support drilling in The Bight, if a percentage of oil discovered was quarantined to help secure Australia’s fuel supply and potentially slash prices at the bowser.

“Nothing will drive down fuel prices until the system is regulated properly,” one respondent said.

Others called for a greater investment in electric cars, and for Australia to “keep a bigger reserve” and stop exporting to other countries.

Australia has an obligation to maintain 90 days of fuel, but a review in April revealed the country held only 18 days worth of petrol.

The survey also revealed a staunch opposition to Norwegian company Equinor’s proposal to drill in The Bight, with 80 per cent of respondents rejecting the project.

These figures remained the same even if an Australian company was behind the proposal.

Not even thousands of local jobs, investment in coastal town infrastructure, or billions of dollars in Federal Government royalties were enough to change respondents minds on the project with at least 70 per cent agreeing it was “not worth the risk”.

Four out of five revealed they were concerned about the potential impact of an oil spill on marine life and the coastline.

“No amount of money could buy back the pristine beauty and haven for whales,” one respondent said.

“We can get more economic benefit from having a pristine environment for eco-tourism,” said another.

The Norwegian company Equinor has until November 29 to modify and resubmit its environmental plan, as the independent regulator takes a microscope to its drilling proposal.

More information has been sought regarding an oil spill risk, environmental protections and consultation – which more than 66 per cent of respondents say has not been adequate.

When asked if the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority will make the right decision about the proposal, 61 per cent said no.

“There needs to be a maximum number of applications a company can put in,” one respondent said.

Environmental groups fighting to “save the Great Australian Bight” will take to the beach on Saturday for a national day of action.

More than 50 rallies, in opposition of Equinor’s proposal, are planned around Australia.

Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association boss Matt Doman said

he was not surprised that community concern was high given the false and exaggerated claims often made by opponents of development.

“We’re confident once South Australians focus on the strong track record of our industry and the significant benefits that flow from our activity, support for exploration will grow,” he said.

“There is no reason SA cannot have a safe, sustainable and successful offshore petroleum industry – as we’ve seen in Bass Strait and offshore Western Australia and the NT for decades.

“The potential economic and energy benefits to SA of successful oil development in The Bight are great, so a balanced, informed and focused public discussion is essential.”