This submission to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources provides Environment Victoria’s feedback on the proposed 2025 Otway Offshore Petroleum Exploration Acreage Release.
This consultation invites input on potential impacts from releasing new petroleum exploration acreage in the Otway Basin. The stated intent of the consultation is to inform the Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority’s decision whether to offer a permit to an applicant, noting that the Joint Authority has already decided, without consultation, to release Otway Basin acreage.
The Commonwealth government’s Future Gas Strategy (FGS) has already been heavily criticised – it is a plan for climate chaos that reads as though it was written by the gas companies. Even under the principles of the gas industry aligned FGS, this proposal to release new acreage for exploration cannot be justified.