TGS unable to proceed with Otway Basin seismic survey after national offshore energy regulator delays issuing permit

Australia’s offshore energy regulator has delayed issuing a permit for seismic blasting in a stretch of water between North-West Tasmania and South-East Victoria.

Plans to conduct seismic blast surveys in a stretch of water between North-West Tasmania and South-East Victoria have been put on hold by Australia’s offshore energy regulator.

Multinational energy companies TGS and Schlumberger want to conduct seismic surveys in the Otway Basin in Commonwealth waters.

Environmental groups have lashed the proposal, believing that the testing will have a detrimental impact on marine life in the basin.

Following more than 30,000 public submissions during its community consultation phase, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) has delayed issuing the permit for seismic testing. It is believed NOPSEMA requires TGS and Schlumberger to consult more widely with communities affected.

Hundreds of surfers joined a mass paddle out from Cosy Corner on Saturday to protest seismic blasting in the Otway Basin. Picture: Alan Barber

The companies have since announced upcoming drop in information session dates in some affected areas of the Great Ocean Road, as well as in Hobart.

National Campaign Director at Surfrider Foundation Australia and Tasmanian resident Drew Mcpherson said lack of consultation to communities most affected by the testing had forced Surfriders to step in.

He said education sessions had been held in places like King Island with marine scientists and relevant experts so that at-risk communities had the opportunity to understand exactly what was being proposed and what risks it posed to them.

Drew McPherson (Surfrider Foundation National Campaign Director). Picture: Alan Barber

Marine Scientist and Surfrider Tasmania spokeswoman Annie Ford says the new drop in session again show the fossil fuel companies are trying to avoid scrutiny.

“In their attempt to tick the box, they are deliberately avoiding frontline communities like Northern Tasmania where communities are engaged and overwhelmingly opposed to the proposal,” she said.

“While it’s great to see drop in sessions on mainland Tasmania for the first time, the communities of North West Tasmania and King Island will be first and worst impacted by the project because of their reliance on healthy oceans for fisheries and economies, and therefore should be given the opportunity to be properly consulted.”

Surfers protesting against oil exploration in the Otway Basin take part in demo at Corio Quay. Picture: Drew Ryan

Tasmanian marine scientist Ally King is one of those who is against the proposed survey.

“I was happy to find out that they had been delayed because, to me, that does show that the regulator is taking things seriously and is really looking at those concerns from the community,” Ms King said.

“It does frustrate me a little bit because NOPSEMA has released a 26-page document via freedom of information, but 25 of those 26 pages have been blacked out.

“So the reason that it’s been delayed is actually being hidden from the public stakeholders at the moment, which is frustrating.”

In its environment plan, TGS said the survey “will not kill, injure, take or interfere with a whale or dolphin within the Australian Whale Sanctuary”.

“In light of the extensive suite of proposed controls, the overall conclusion from the environmental risk assessment is that the impacts from the [survey] have been reduced to [As Low as Reasonably Practicable] and Acceptable Levels,” the plan reads.

“The survey will fully comply with all relevant legislation and industry best practice, and all [Environmental Performance Standards] provided within the accepted [environment plan].”

The Hobart drop-in sessions will be held on Friday May 31, midday-7pm and Saturday June 1 9am-midday at Hobart’s Hotel Grand Chancellor.