An appeal may be lodged to try to stop exploration company Bight Petroleum carrying out seismic testing for oil and gas off the Kangaroo Island coast.
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Management Authority (NOPSEMA) yesterday gave approval for the testing, prompting renewed criticism from The Wilderness Society and the Australian Greens.
Greens Senator Penny Wright, who has campaigned with KI locals against testing, said she would be looking at the full summary of Bight’s environmental plan to see if there were grounds for appeal.
“Seismic testing will threaten Kangaroo Island’s fishing industry and put more SA jobs at risk by threatening eco-tourism to the island,” she said in a statement. “Bight Petroleum’s previous documentation has shown a disdain for science and a disdain for the local community.”
Wilderness Society campaigner Kathryn Warhurst said there had been a lack of consultation with the community.
“What is shocking is that apparently the regulator NOPSEMA are prepared to let these concerns be ignored.”
In a statement on its website, Bight Petroleum welcomed the fact that its seismic survey environmental plan had been accepted under the Commonwealth environment regulations, saying it was lodged “under the new streamlined system which was set out by the Federal Government on March 1, 2014”.
“It has been a lengthy process leading up to the lodgement, involving consultation with stakeholders and expert advisors to ensure environmental best practices,” CEO Matthew Philipchuk said.
“Following this important milestone, we will now focus our efforts on selecting a partner to share in the evaluation of this world-class opportunity.”
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Senator Wright condemned the lack of transparency under Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s new environmental approvals process.
“Kangaroo Island is precious to all South Australians and famous around the world, yet under Tony Abbott’s tick-and-flick environment scheme, the community doesn’t get to have a say,” she said
According to an ABC report in March, Bight Petroleum was the first offshore operator to have its proposal considered under the new federal approval process.
with AAP
