Seismic blasting multinational TGS announced this morning that they have decided not to proceed with the Otway blasting plan, withdrawing from NOPSEMA assessment.
Under the proposal, TGS were to blast the Otway Basin off the west coast of Victoria with 250 decibels of noise - louder than an atomic bomb - every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day for months on end to search for new oil and gas reserves. When they first submitted their proposal to the Government Management Authority their plan was for the largest seismic blasting proposal in the world covering a footprint of 7.7 million hectares. Over two and a half years of community pressure the scope of the project was reduced to an ever shrinking area until finally today they have withdrawn their application.
The decision comes after months of active community opposition to the proposal, including from Gunditjmara-led Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective (SOPEC) and Friends of the Earth and in collaboration with our friends at OCEAN (Otways Coastal Environment Action Network), Surfrider Foundation Australia and AMCS (Australian Marine Conservation Society) among others.
The proposal by TGS raised the concerns of First Nations groups, marine biologists, environmentalists, local residents, commercial and local fishermen, swimmers, and surfers who have come out in their hundreds over the last two years to support calls from the Gunditjmara-led Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective (SOPEC) to end the practice of seismic blasting on their Sea Country, and to invest in First nations led climate solutions.
Quotes attributed to Freja Leonard, No More Gas campaign coordinator:
“This project spelled disaster for the Southern Ocean and all marine life that calls the Otway Basin home. It would have devastated fisheries and the birthing and feeding places of many iconic species including the southern right whale and endangered pygmy blue whale. This is a victory for the Gunditjmara community who opposed this project, fishers, the ocean and the climate.”
“This decision by TGS to withdraw their application is a powerful community win and puts the seismic blasting industry on notice that they can no longer expect their destructive industry to receive approvals without significant scrutiny and pushback from the people.”
“Seismic blasting is the first step in a polluting, heavily damaging gas industry that cares only for profit and has no social licence. We know that the climate cannot afford a single new gas project and call on the Federal Resources Minister to start to plan for the wind up of gas exploration and production in Australia.”
Keerray Woorroong and Gunditjmara Whale Dreaming Custodian and Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective spokesperson Yaraan Couzens-Bundle said:
“SOPEC members and family groups rejoice at the news Koontapool (southern right whale) is another step closer to gaining the protection our oceanic family deserve!” said Couzens-Bundle.
“We stand united and dedicated to the protection of the whale songline and all other interconnected songlines as is our old ways, lore and responsibility. SOPEC would like to thank everyone involved in the fight, the many groups as part of the Southern Ocean Defence Alliance, and full acknowledgment to the Blak mothers and fathers that put their lives on hold to fight for sacred connections. For our babies, our children were watching, and stood true no matter how hard! Thank you all, for koontapool and sacred Sea Country”
Key Facts:
After 2.5 years of fighting the world's largest seismic blasting project the community have a win with proponent TGS withdrawing their application.
Seismic blasting is how the fossil fuel industry looks for new offshore gas and oil reserves.
About us:
Friends of the Earth Melbourne has a proud fifty year history of campaigning for social and environmental justice issues. The No More Gas campaign focuses on energy justice which has both social and environmental implications. We aim to accelerate the Victorian energy economy towards a post-gas future, powered by 100% renewables through an orderly, equitable and rapid process of gas retirement.
Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective is a Gunditjmara led organisation which stands up to protect and defend Gunditjmara Sea Country
Contact details:
Freja Leonard, No More Gas campaign coordinator Friends of the Earth Melbourne
0400 611 896
