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There have been mixed reactions to Victoria's newest gas extraction project with some locals saying gas is still necessary in the move to renewables, while others believe "enough damage has been done" and want to the state government to listen to its constituents.
On Thursday the Victorian government announced it had approved the first new application for gas extraction in the state in a decade.
It came after local community groups along the Great Ocean Road spent the summer campaigning to ban offshore gas projects in Victoria's southern sea country.
The company behind the project, Beach Energy, already operates the Otway Gas Plant near Port Campbell — a south-west Victorian town best known for its proximity to the Twelve Apostles Marine Sanctuary.
The local reaction
Gunditjmara-Djab Wurrung woman Yaraan Couzens-Bundle founded the Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective, an activist group that has been advocating to ban gas projects in southern sea country.
In mid-May, Ms Couzens-Bundle helped perform a ceremony for two pygmy sperm whales that washed up on the shore at Gibson's Steps, near the Twelve Apostles.
"Pygmy sperm whales are deep sea feeders. Now what's Beach [Energy] doing on the sea floor?" Ms Couzens-Bundle said.
"Us Gunditj grassroots cultural knowledge holders and cultural advocates for our country stand firm. We say no to new gas across our sacred whales songline and sea country. Across the whole of Gunditjmara country.
"Why isn't the Australian government protecting Australia's natural resources and environment from being exploited?
"Enough damage has been done."
Councillor Jamie Vogels represents Corangamite Shire's Coastal Ward and said while there would be a mixed reaction among locals, he though it was a necessary step in the transition to renewables.
"As you move towards a different technology you cannot just drop the old technology, you need to transition, and gas is going to play a big role for a long time," Cr Vogels said.
"It should start helping to shore up the gas that we're short of."
Does Victoria need more gas?
Director at oil and gas environmental consultancy company Klarite, Matthew Smith, said we needed to think about energy in a broader context than just electricity.
"Gas is used for a number of different things other than what you experience when you turn your hob on at home," Mr Smith said.
He said gas was used in the manufacturing of products including feedstock, fertiliser, bricks, concrete, and powdered milk.
"Things that are essential for other parts of the economy to thrive," he said.
"I think it can be tempting not to roll around in the complexity of what gas provides, beyond just electricity."
The latest outlook from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) forecasts a gap in gas supply for southern states, including Victoria, from 2028.
Oil and gas campaign manager for the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Louise Morris, said that does not show the whole picture.
"The biggest gas customer is the gas companies themselves, they are the largest consumers of gas, who actually process the gas and cool the gas for transport," Ms Morris said.
"If the gas companies reduced their use we wouldn't have the need to expand gas exploration or use at all.
"This decision really flies in the face of what state and federal government are being told by their constituents — that we want a rapid transition to renewable energy and a rapid phase out of fossil fuels.
"This decision does the exact opposite."
Loading...In a statement, Beach Energy managing director and CEO Brett Woods said the company welcomed final approvals for the operation of the new gas extraction project at Port Campbell, which its said aligns with the recently announced Future Gas Strategy.
"Gas plays a crucial role in supporting Australia through its transition and remains a critical resource to manufacturing industries throughout Victoria," he said.
"Beach's ongoing exploration, development, and production of local natural gas continues to support Victorian businesses and households, as well as backing up renewable energy."
A native title agreement relating to the project is registered with the National Native Title Tribunal, and a Cultural Heritage Management Plan has been completed.