Feedback (Objections or Claims)

Deen Maar/Lady Julia Percy Island is a significant place for ecological and cultural heritage values and sensitivities.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

We have identified protected species on the island and have modelled sound propagation around the area. We agree that ecological values should be protected.

We have had introductory discussions with Traditional Owners. We understand that there may be spiritual/cultural values to protect both on the island and between the island and the mainland.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

Implemented a 10.3km exclusion around the island which is the behavioural response threshold for marine mammals. This buffer is a starting point around the island for protection of cultural heritage. We are also preparing to put an exclusion zone in place between the island and the mainland. We need to validate the appropriateness through consultation with Traditional Owners.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

Why are you doing seismic in this area again?

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

We are targeting areas that have not been surveyed before though there will be some overlap with previous surveys for operational efficiency and tying together previous data.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

Provide maps to the community of previous seismic surveys over the area in the context of the Regia MSS.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

The community is fatigued by the consultation for all these petroleum activities.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

We understand the burden being placed on relevant persons and we made a commitment in February to work with other titleholder wherever and whenever possible.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

We undertook joint community events with ConocoPhillips to try and reduce the fatigue people may experience.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

There is confusion about what activities are planned in this region because you haven’t separated the consultation. We care more about the seismic activity and want separate consultation events.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

We understand that there may be some confusion arising from our response to claims of consultation fatigue.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

Undertook additional Regia MSS specific community information session in Port Fairy and Apollo Bay. We will continue to consider collaboration consultation with specific groups who request it.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

No impacts from seismic are of an acceptable level.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

This is not supported by the literature or the legislation. The legislation allows NOPSEMA to permission environmental impacts provided we comply with the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

We have already published our definitions of acceptable levels of environmental impact and risk. We will publish our predicted levels of impact and risk prior to submission of our Environment Plan.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

Seismic surveying is not required given that no new oil or gas should be developed to be consistent with increased temperature increase of 1.5 degrees (the Paris Agreement).

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

The ‘no new oil or gas’ statement comes from the International Energy Association (IEA) World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2021, Net Zero Scenario which is a global analysis predicated on a demand driven decrease in fossil fuel use. It does not consider that at an Australia level, the AEMO predicts shortfalls of gas as early as 2027 in its Victorian Gas Planning Report (March 2023).
We understand community views about the ongoing need for gas in Australia (or lack thereof) as the country navigates the energy transition. The current government policy is that more gas is needed, and petroleum exploration titles continue to authorise the exploration process, including seismic surveys. Matters of national energy policy are not within the purview of CGG or the Regia MSS.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

Record instances of the objection and faithfully report those to NOPSEMA. Respond to individuals who raise this objection with references to government documentation supporting the need for new local gas developments. We also advise that these concerns are better directed to your State or Federal members of parliament and/or the State or Federal Resources Ministers.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

The community doesn’t want oil and gas development here.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

We understand community opposition to the activity. There is already gas development in the Otway and the government has awarded titles for further exploration.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

Share the views of the community with NOPSEMA and accurately record the vote counts from the community sessions.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

Seismic blasts from seismic surveys are over 230-260 decibels and the sound travels for thousands of kilometers every few seconds for months.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

We acknowledge that sound propagates through the ocean over long distances (particularly in deeper water) and that the sound levels at the source are high. The more relevant data for impact assessments of elevated underwater sound levels are received levels of sound at specified distances from the sound source and the effect level thresholds for the hearing capabilities of different species. Elevated levels of sound from seismic are limited to the duration of acquisition (60 days) i.e., temporary.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

Publish the sound propagation modelling report in full. Share the scientific basis for the: -Propagation calculations -Selected effect level thresholds.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

The effects on fish and fish population are permanent and will damage our commercial fishing industry.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

The effects of seismic sound on most species are well understood. There are no mortal effects predicted to any fish or invertebrate species from seismic sound.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

Consult with commercial fishers and the VFA to understand the productivity and utilisation of commercial fishing resources in the area.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

Seismic blasting will kill zooplankton out to 1.2km which have a fundamental role for ecological integrity as food for krill and subsequently krill are food for whales.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

The effects of seismic sound from the Regia MSS may have mortal effects on zooplankton out to approximately 220m. Zooplankton are ubiquitous and abundant with natural mortality rates of 20-50% and high levels of recoverability (within days). The Regia MSS will cover 0.2% of the bioregion per day.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

Publish the modelling and impact assessment of sound on zooplankton.
Carry out the activity within the limits set by the Environment Plan.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

We want to be assured that your activities out at sea will not result in increased rubbish washing up.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

As part of the development of the Regia MSS Environment Plan CGG will commit to zero rubbish disposed of at sea.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

All vessels engaged for the Regia MSS will have a garbage management plan, placards and maintain a garbage record book which details how and where vessel garbage is disposed. In addition, waste with the potential to be windblown will be stored in covered containers.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

I bird watch for pelagic and shorebirds along the southwest coast of Victoria and am concerned about their welfare.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

The most likely effect to nesting birds is from artificial light from our survey vessels during nighttime. We have undertaken a light impact assessment in line with the Commonwealth Government’s National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife Including Marine Turtles, Seabirds and Migratory Shorebirds.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

Vessels contracted to work on the survey will have a Light Management Plan to ensure light from the vessel is as low as practicable but still meets navigational and safety requirements. There will be implementation of controls such as porthole shrouds to mitigate impacts from light on nesting beaches.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

Fuel spillage is a real concern for us. We currently collect balls of crude oil along our oceans beaches several times a week, and have done so for six years of data collecting.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

All vessels are required to have in place navigation and safety requirements to avoid a collision event that could result in a loss of diesel. Our Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (OPEP) will detail the response strategies that would be implemented in the unlikely event of a vessel diesel spill including any waste management requirements.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

Vessels engaged for the Regia MSS will only use and carry marine diesel that is a light fuel that if spilt to the marine environment evaporates quickly and does not result in oil balls on beaches. No crude oil will be used or carried by the vessels.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

I’m concerned about marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and seals.

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

Several species of marine mammals (whales, dolphins and seals) are typically found within the area where the Regia survey is proposed. Where underwater noise has the potential to affect marine mammals control measures will need to be in place.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

As southern right whales have been identified as calving and resting within coastal areas adjacent to the survey area no acquisition will be undertaken when they are in these coastal areas. To determine when southern right whales are present or absent from these coastal areas we will work with southern right whale researchers to develop appropriate survey methods. Two marine mammal observers will be on the survey vessel during daylight hours, responsible for managing shutdown zones. The seismic source will be gradually ramped up over 30 minutes and can only begin if no whales have been observed within a 3km radius in the pervious half-hour. Additional measures include acoustic monitoring for whale detection, the use of vessel, aerial surveys, and shoreline observations. For more information please find a fact sheet here.

Feedback (Objections or Claims)

I dive in this area, are there any risks to me?

Our View (Assessment of Merit)

Seismic surveys generate intense, low-frequency sound waves that can pose risks to divers. These risks can be managed and minimised through a range of strategies and safety protocols.

Measures adopted because of the consultations

We will put in place measures such as prior notification to relevant parties, exclusion zones, monitoring, gradual ramp-up of the seismic source, open communication channels and diver safety briefings. If you are a diver in this region, whether recreational, commercial, or scientific, please contact us at contact@regiamss.com.au For more information please find a fact sheet here.