Residents’ Views Sought on Oil and Gas Exploration

Dunedin (Monday, 17 November 2014) – Do you have a view on exploration for oil and gas off the Otago coast?

The Petroleum Block Offer is the way the Government enables petroleum companies to bid for exploration rights to New Zealand’s oil and gas resources. This is the third year of the Block Offer process, which is run by New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (NZP&M), a department within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The Dunedin City Council is seeking community input as it prepares a response to the 2015 Petroleum Block Offer. The DCC has no jurisdiction over the granting of exploration licences, but the Government is seeking views from all local bodies and their communities.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says oil and gas exploration is a subject that has generated significant community discussion. There a wide range of views, from how many jobs might be created to the impact of fossil fuels on climate change.

“We know this is a subject people feel strongly about and we are keen to hear what our residents think.”

The DCC has made a submission for the past two years and intends to use these as the starting point for this year’s submission. Community views will be considered and the feedback received will be attached as an appendix to the formal DCC submission to Residents’ feedback must be with the DCC by Friday, 5 December. Feedback can be emailed to policy@dcc.govt.nz (please put Block Offer in the subject line), posted to PO Box 5045, Moray Place, Dunedin 9058 or dropped off at the Civic Centre.

For more information on the Block Offer and previous DCC submissions, or to provide your feedback online, visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/petroleum-block-offer.

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