MOUNT Gambier City Council will undertake further consideration before co-signing a Fossil Free South Australia open letter which opposes gas and oil projects in the state.
Limestone Coast Protection Alliance member Merilyn Paxton presented to elected members at Tuesday night’s monthly meeting, requesting council’s support against further petroleum exploration in the region.
Ms Paxton said it was the organisation’s belief that agriculture, viticulture and tourism within the South East “cannot co-exist with petroleum mining”.
“We think there is a better way to go and we feel our councils can help,” she said.
“We can encourage the expansion of industry in our area without the expansion of the gas industry.
“Any new industry today would be very foolhardy and most unlikely to base their development on gas or any form of fossil fuel energy because of the cost of energy and their carbon footprint.
“We believe that new industries would be innovative enough to address renewables as their form of energy.”
“We are not asking that all fossil fuel licences that are in place or have been authorised are stopped at this time,” Ms Paxton said.
Council noted the presentation and will discuss the open letter at future meetings before making a final decision.
Alliance chairperson Angus Ralton said he believed the deputation was well received by elected members.
“It is great to have these lines of communication open to discuss what we are interested in,” Mr Ralton said.
“It will be great to hear what City Council’s conclusion is.
“It is also a great start and we look forward to working alongside councils to protect the lifestyles and economy as well as the future of the region.”
