THE region’s peak environmental activist group is jubilant after Norweigan oil giant Equinor has abandoned its plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight, despite gaining environmental approvals just two months ago.
The company announced it would scrap the $200m plan to drill in the Bight, saying the project was not commercially competitive with other exploration opportunities.
The proposed Stromlo-1 well site – located 372km off the coast of Ceduna and 476km west of Port Lincoln – was the subject of widespread protests across the country, including the Limestone Coast.
Limestone Coast Protection Alliance chair Angus Ralton – who was critical of the activity’s perceived environmental and economic effects – said Equinor’s withdrawal was a win for activists, the environment and the community.
“This is a win for local and coastal communities, jobs and our economy as our fisheries and tourism industries are again safe from fossil fuel activity in the Great Australian Bight,” he said.
“The Limestone Coast Protection Alliance is proud to be a part of this massive win as this is now the fourth company to ditch its plans to undertake fossil fuel activity in the Bight.”
As well as participating in protests, alliance members lobbied the region’s seven constituent councils to sign a letter protesting Equinor’s plans.
“We would like to thank Grant, Kingston, Robe and Wattle Range councils for standing up for their communities in rejecting the ridiculous proposal,” Mr Ralton said.
“The community has demonstrated time and time again we do not want it and the economics of all the programs has not stacked up.
“This comes at a time where JP Morgan and Chase and Goldman Sachs have said the time for fossil fuels is over – so get your money out.”
Mr Ralton called on the Federal Government to protect the Bight from further mining bids.
“We call on Tony Pasin and the Federal Coalition to rescind all licences and finally put and end to all fossil fuel extraction in the Bight,” he said.
“It is time that area is now sequestered and made a no-go zone.”
Federal Greens MP Sarah Hanson-Young and Centre Alliance’s Rebekah Sharkie also called on the Coalition Government to help protect the site from future proposals.
The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy said Equinor’s withdrawal was a lost economic opportunity for the state.
The industry group squared off at the “public campaign waged against Equinor”, claiming it deliberately overstated risk and ignored the benefits of the project.
