Ocean Grove residents rally against seismic blast project proposal in Otway Basin

Hundreds of residents attended a rally against an Otway Basin seismic blast project, with one protester labelling it “totally at odds” with action that’s needed.

Hundreds of Ocean Grove residents came out in force on Saturday to protest against seismic blasting in the Otway Basin.

At a rally at Ocean Grove Park, Otway Coastal Environment Action Network (OCEAN) founder Lisa Deppeler labelled the project “totally at odds” with what was actually needed for the environment.

More than 10,000 people signed a petition in September 2022, calling for the application for a Otway Basin oil and gas search to be knocked back.

Schlumberger and TGS are seeking government approval for the 3D seismic survey covering around 7.7 million hectares of the sea floor.

In 2020, environmentalists said the action had the potential to destroy marine life in the basin.

Maryann, Wendy and Janet were among the Ocean Grove residents who attended the rally.

On Saturday, opponents to the project marched from the Draper St park through the main street, and ended at the Ocean Grove lookout to rally against the project.

The event is part of a bigger campaign organised by OCEAN, consisting of rallies, street marches and paddle outs as well as film screenings of the Surfrider Foundation’s Southern Blast along the Great Ocean Road.

Rally organiser Mitch Pope said the impacts of seismic blasting were “devastating”.

“Seismic blasting involves releasing underwater explosions, every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day, for months on end,” Mr Pope said.

The Grufas family at Ocean Grove park ahead of the march.

“These blasts are as loud as an atomic bomb, and cause devastating impacts to the marine environment.”

Ms Deppeler said the blasting proposal was “totally at odds with what needs to be done to slow climate change.”

“They’ve basically run out of reserves over the other side near Gippsland, and they want to industrialise our ocean,” Ms Deppeler said.

“They’re looking or gas that’s so far off shore that it won’t be used for decades, as we just see this as mindless destruction that doesn’t make any sense at all.”

Ms Deppeler said the “massive” proposal covered an area that was almost the size of Tasmania.

“(It) will displace, injure, and kill an untold number of marine species, including the endangered southern right whale and the blue whale,” Ms Deppeler said.

“The proposed project intercepts with two marine parks and two whale sanctuaries.

“If successful, it will be the largest 3D seismic project in history, right here in our backyard.”

Originally published as Ocean Grove residents rally against seismic blast project proposal in Otway Basin