On 18 June, Victoria’s upper house heard a petition brought by the people of Gippsland and Friends of the Earth concerning ExxonMobil’s plans to begin the decommissioning of 13 rigs in the Bass Strait.
The petition requests that the Minister for Planning commission an environment effects statement (EES) into Exxon Mobil’s plans and ensure that the EES process involves a period of public consultation, recognising that any decommissioning activity undertaken in Victoria must reflect international best practice.
Speaking in parliament, Tom McIntosh, Labor member for Eastern Victoria, explained that the EES process is the “highest level of environmental assessment in Victoria,” with public submissions and independent inquiry panels forming part of a detailed regulatory review.
The Minister for Planning, the Hon Sonya Kilkenny, has responded to the petition, stating: “The department has requested further information from Esso Australia about the project and its impacts. On receipt, the department will continue to engage with Esso about the necessary assessment and approvals process for their project.”
Esso, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, has until September 2027 to begin removing decommissioned assets under direction from the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA). Stage one of the company’s plan includes upgrading the Barry Beach Marine Terminal and using it to land around 60,000 tonnes of dismantled offshore material.
Dr Sarah Mansfield, who tabled the petition, told the chamber that “these rigs are the first of their kind to be decommissioned in Australia” and warned that the standards set now would shape future decommissioning projects, emphasising the need for local jobs, recycling, and environmental accountability.
The environmental sensitivity of Corner Inlet, a Ramsar-listed wetland, is central to community concern. Mansfield described the region as home to “the most extensive system of intertidal mudflats in Victoria” and a haven for migratory birds. She also raised legacy contamination concerns at Barry Beach, citing an EPA audit that found groundwater was unsuitable for stock watering or recreation due to hydrocarbon contamination.
Nationals MP Melina Bath, who also represents Eastern Victoria, supported the community's call for scrutiny but highlighted the site’s long industrial history and its potential future role in renewable energy. “People are right to be concerned,” she said, “and the nub of this petition is around decommissioning and the importance of making sure that regulation and acts are adhered to.”
Dr Mansfield concluded her remarks with a stark warning: “If stringent standards for decommissioning are not established right now in this process, it will set a very dangerous precedent for the rest of the country.” David Barrett
