Statement on Equinor spill modelling

Posted November 15, 2018

Equinor's draft Oil Pollution Emergency Plan might have been leaked early but Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie says the information is even more alarming than any previous modelling of a potential oil spill in the Great Australian Bight.

"The 'worst credible case discharge' scenario shows a spill could go further than Tasmania and spread two-thirds of the way up the New South Wales coast as far as Port Macquarie," Rebekha said.

"While I realise this is the extreme and Equinor's draft environment plan is still a work in progress, we should all be deeply concerned by the potential risk to the environment and our local economy.

“The Bight is one of the most ecologically diverse marine environments in the world and so many communities in southern Australia, including the coastal areas of Mayo, stand to lose so much from an oil spill disaster.

“This is not 'environmental lobbyist fearmongering' when our fishing industry and our tourism industry could be wiped out from a single incident.

"I will be looking with interest at Equinor's environmental plan when it is expected to be released for public comment next year by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority.

"In the meantime, the information just reinforces my determination to bring in Heritage Listing protection for the Bight.

“I have a Private Member’s Bill drafted and will push the Federal Parliament to allow me to introduce it in the final sitting weeks of the year."