2024-09-25
Greens Senator Steph Hodgins-May will visit Victoria’s Surf Coast on Thursday to speak with communities concerned about the proposed seismic blasting in the area.
If fossil fuel companies get their way, seismic blasting to explore for new gas under the ocean floor between Warrnambool and Apollo Bay could commence as early as October 2024.
“Victorians are deeply concerned about the seismic blasting of just over 3 million hectares of the Otway Basin,” said Senator Hodgins-May.
“We’re seeing widespread opposition and ongoing protests from local communities, environmentalists and First Nations groups determined to stop this. And the community pressure is clearly working - the proposed blasting area has been nearly halved.”
Senator Hodgins-May said seismic blasting in the Otway Basin would have irreparable impacts on our oceans and climate.
“Our state’s oceans are already fragile. Seismic blasting, whereby high-pressure air guns penetrate consistent loud sounds into the sea bed over months, will further risk our precious marine life, including migratory whales, zooplankton and shellfish.”
“More seismic blasting off the coast of Victoria would be an environmental disaster - threatening our marine biodiversity and the livelihoods that depend on our oceans.
“It beggars belief that in a climate crisis, at a time when governments should be transitioning away from fossil fuels, the Labor state and federal governments are supporting this new gas exploration.”
The TGS/SLB gas proposal is one of more than a dozen gas projects being planned across Victoria, which Senator Hodgins-May said is further proof that Labor are climate frauds.
“How can Australia meet its climate targets when the federal Labor Government has approved 26 coal and gas projects to run as late as 2080?”
“The Australian Greens are committed to ending all offshore gas exploration and extraction. We will continue to push the government to stop the harmful process of seismic blasting.”
“Labor needs to stop adding more fuel to the fire and ban seismic blasting and new offshore fossil fuel projects.”
Media contact:
Charlotta Lomas - 0437 620 603