Dave Cull.
Safety and potential economic benefits were back on the
agenda when talk of oil and gas exploration resumed in Dunedin
yesterday.
Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council
representatives, including Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, attended
a presentation at the University of Otago, discussing the
next round of petroleum exploration permits.
The presentation, via video conference, was by staff from New
Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (NZPM), part of the Ministry
of Business, Innovation and Employment.
NZPM staff were consulting iwi and councils across New
Zealand in preparation for the ministry's next round of
competitive tenders for oil exploration permits, which were
expected to be announced by the end of the year.
The permits would be for exploration in eight locations,
including more areas of the Canterbury and Great South
Basins, off the Otago coast, NZPM general manager David
Binnie has said.
Mr Cull said yesterday's session was one of several meetings
between NZPM representatives and the city council in recent
months, which would help inform a council submission on the
latest round of tenders.
Topics for discussion included risk management and safety, as
well as the potential economic benefits, he said.
''Eight or nine'' city councillors attended, as well as
council staff and ORC representatives, he said.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.