Fight for the Bight

March 2019

I applaud Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson for writing to the CEO of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority expressing the council and the community’s strong opposition to deep sea oil and gas drilling by Norwegian Company Equinor in the Great Australian Bight. 

Her letter aligns with protests by many coastal communities and stakeholders in fishing and tourism – as well as campaigning by the Sea Shepherd, the Australian Marine Conservation Society and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, all fighting to protect the livelihoods and lifestyles reliant on our clean seas and coasts.

The environmental impacts of oil well blowout, oil spills, explosions, noise pollution, seabed disturbance, chemical pollution and ship strikes with whales and dolphins would be catastrophic to our environment, economy and social recreational coastal activities.

Protection of our priceless marine marvel of internationally recognised ecological value must never again be put at risk by oil and gas leases released in the area for foreign companies to exploit.

World Heritage status for the Great Australian Bight is the only responsible thing to do to conserve it for all time.

Simone Hunter

Poll call

March 2018

The important headline "Poll call for parties to show hands on KI oil," supports previous exploration opposition calls by the Wilderness and Conservation Societies, the public for whom politicians are accountable and Kangaroo Island's Mayor, Peter Clements, who said, "I don't know of anyone who supports seismic testing in the Bight...and it would have a big impact on the vote on KI..," and statewide.

There is no way of insuring catastrophic spills will not devastate the entire coastline, spread by the massive currents of the ocean. Whales are a vital part of the oceans' ecology and make it possible for life in our oceans to exist.

The Great Australian Bight is their breeding ground and seismic explosions will deafen, interfere with their navigation, and ultimately kill them. Voters must be heard.

Diane Cornelius