“US Oil Spill could happen here” Greens say this World Environment Day - 5 June 2010

This World Environment Day (Saturday 5 June) the NSW Greens are seeking a commitment by the NSW Government to rule out the prospect of oil drilling off the NSW coast as reports indicate an increasing commercial interest in the area.

In a speech in the NSW Upper House this week, Greens MLC Ian Cohen warned of increasing potential for oil spills to occur off the NSW Coast due to the heightened interest in offshore oil reserves in the Sydney basin.

“Unfortunately, there really is no cause for celebration this World Environment Day,” said Mr Cohen.

“The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a portend of what’s to come if we continue to prioritise short-term profits over the long-term health of our environment.

“This World Environment Day the Greens are seeking a commitment from the State Government to rule out oil drilling in NSW waters for the long-term health and viability of the marine environment.

The website of Advent Energy, a company that is undertaking offshore drilling, states “the Offshore Sydney Basin is one of the largest remaining unexplored prospects for oil or gas in Australia… Covered by PEP 11, a 200km long, 8,100km2 permit, the offshore Sydney Basin is a significant exploration area… Oil has been recorded from some 55 locations within the onshore basin…. although gas is the initial focus, the possibility of a new oil play offshore cannot be ruled out.”

“Our tourism and fishing industries need to be reassured their businesses and jobs aren’t at risk of a future oil spill.

“The risk of serious and irreversible damage to the marine environment from offshore oil drilling and exploration should be enough to warrant extremely high levels of precaution when it comes to approving such projects, if they are approved at all.

“In an age of peak oil, we should be investing in clean technology solutions and alternatives so that we can transition away from our dependency on oil.

“The Greens will be seeking commitments from both Labor and the Coalition to rule out oil drilling off our coasts completely. Our marine environment is too precious to lose,” said Mr Cohen.


Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 0412 207 043