It was revealed in the Otago Daily Times this morning Austrian oil giant OMV has unveiled one of the most ambitious gas and oil drilling programmes proposed in New Zealand.
It plans possibly three exploration and seven follow-up appraisal wells off Otago's coast in the Great South Basin.
Green Party Energy and Resources spokesperson Gareth Hughes slammed the move and said it was time to "put a line in the sand on offshore oil and gas drilling".
"Only the Green Party is committed to stop deep sea oil drilling. This isn’t the future we want for New Zealand or the world.
"The consent application announced today for oil drilling shows that last year’s ban on new permits needs to be strengthened.
"We’ve already discovered enough fossil fuels to burn the planet, and we don’t need to look for more off our coasts.
He said there were 28 active mining or prospecting permits which could be used until the oil runs out if Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods agrees to extend them.
"I’m urging Minister Woods to call MBIE in and take action to stop the extension of existing permits.
"This Government has banned new offshore drilling permit applications, and now we need to close this loophole to stop further applications for deep sea oil drilling long into the future.
He expected any consent process for drilling to be "staunchly" opposed by the public.
"I will be looking very closely at this application and will be talking to local communities about their concerns."
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Have a day off!! This will bring much needed growth and jobs to the Dunedin Economy. These companies will just take these opportunities elsewhere resulting in a more worse-off Dunedin!
Green hypocrisy. The paint on their bike is made from oil, so are the tyres, the plastic cable covers, the LED battery covers, the pedals, the reflectors, and the helmet as well...but they do not ride bikes everywhere- they take cars- ministerial cars...If they want to be heard- then lead by example- if you can, please.