Ministers must listen to offshore exploration concerns

Government Ministers must listen to public concerns over the safety of offshore oil and gas exploration says Labour’s Environment Spokesperson Moana Mackey.

“On “Campbell Live” on Monday night, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges accused John Campbell of not accurately representing the views of the Kaikoura community.

“So “Campbell Live” took up that challenge and went to Kaikoura to canvass the views of locals. The response was overwhelmingly one of concern around the safety of the proposed drilling activity and our ability to respond to an oil spill.

“This mirrors concerns expressed by communities around the country about proposed offshore oil drilling. And their concerns are valid given that the legislation which will regulate this activity in our Exclusive Economic Zone is woefully inadequate and deliberately permissive.

Environment Minister Adam’s has made the worrying claim that the exploratory drilling is only for a short period of time and is low risk. This is extraordinary given the Gulf of Mexico disaster was in an exploratory well.

“Concerns around our ability to respond in an emergency are also well-founded. A report from Maritime NZ before the Rena disaster stated they could cope with a spill of up to 3,500 tonnes. The Rena was carrying 1700 tonnes of which 350 was spilled into the environment and there is still oil washing up in the Bay of Plenty two years later.

“We have three 8 metre aluminium launches in New Zealand ready to respond in the event of an oil spill. I think it’s fair for the Kaikoura community to question the adequacy of that response capability given the proposed drilling site is twice the depth of the Gulf of Mexico deep water horizon well and 100km off the coast.”

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