Public inquiry into seismic testing receives thousands of letters, with Gosford hearing in March
A public inquiry into seismic testing will hold its first hearing in February, with one planned for Gosford in March. It comes as fears grow that offshore gas exploration may go ahead between Manly and Newcastle.
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Hundreds of people from Manly to Newcastle are believed to have submitted their views on seismic testing to a public inquiry.
The federal inquiry has so far published 80 submissions, received another 479 letters, with 8000 yet to be reviewed and accepted by the committee.
Many are believed to come from worried residents living along the NSW coast.
It follows fears that offshore gas exploration may be allowed along this stretch of coastline.
It would involve shooting acoustic pulses into the ocean floor to create an image of what is underneath, which environmentalists say will lead to the loss of marine life, damage to the natural environment and a reduction in tourism.
In response exploration companies say they have to abide by strict rules and that the exploration work does not have an adverse effect on the environment.
Warringah MP Zali Steggall said she received an “avalanche of responses” when she promoted the inquiry on her website and said she will be presenting a petition at Federal Parliament on behalf of the group Save Our Coast calling for seismic testing to be banned.
“Residents are very worried about the proposed seismic testing off our beautiful coastline and the impact it will have on our marine environment,” Ms Steggall said.
A submission to the inquiry from the MP Guy Barnett on behalf of the Tasmanian Government said studies show that seismic testing resulted in permanent damage to rock lobsters, that 60 per cent of scallops died within 120 days of exposure and the decrease in plankton was significant.
The submission said: “Seismic survey activity has the potential to impact valuable commercial fisheries along with the ecologically important zooplankton community.”
However, a submission from the South Australia Government is in support of seismic testing saying the state “has a long experience of well-regulated, safe and environmentally sustainable exploration in its offshore basins”.
“A well-regulated offshore petroleum industry in Australia continues to make a significant contribution to both Australian society and the national economy.
“Experience in Australia and worldwide shows that fisheries and seismic surveying with appropriately robust regulation do successfully co-exist.
“This experience includes 130 seismic surveys safely conducted in offshore South Australia comprising more than 148,800 kilometres of 2D and more than 45,000 square kilometres of 3D marine seismic surveys.”
Susie Crick from the Surfrider Foundation said in her submission to the inquiry that with climate change being a factor Australia should not be supporting the exploration of fossil fuels but investing in renewables.
“Australia must look toward sustainable energy solutions that protect our natural resources, rather than risk the future of our coastal playgrounds, marine ecosystems, tourism, fishing and economies,” she said.
The first hearing into the inquiry is in Hobart on February 19, with further hearings in Adelaide, Perth and Gosford.
The Gosford hearing has yet to be scheduled but is expected to be in mid-March.
At the end of last year there was a huge nationwide protest against seismic testing, with hundreds taking part in a paddle out at Manly Beach.