Esperance campaigners welcome decision to abandon Bight oil drill plans
Esperance environmental advocates have rejoiced following the announcement that Norwegian oil company, Equinor had retracted its plan to drill in the Great Australian Bight.
In a statement released on February 25, the company said it would not continue its exploration drilling plans because it was deemed no longer "commercially competitive".
More than 600 people took to the Esperance Foreshore on November 23 to protest the company's plan to drill for oil off the South Australian coast.
As a result, the Shire of Esperance council voted to acknowledge the concerns and to oppose any oil exploration that could impact or affect the Esperance coast.
Esperance Fight for the Bight paddle out organiser Dr Helen McCarthy said she was "gobsmacked" by the back-flip.
"It always did seem erroneous that a company that was so inventive and focused on renewable energies using sustainable wind and solar power would want to drill for a fossil fuel in a sensitive and precious marine environment," she said.
"Equinor has not received social license from the Australian people. Also importantly and especially Equinor had to acknowledge the custodian traditional owners who told them that they were not welcome."
Dr McCarthy praised the community for doing its part to protect the coast.
"The Esperance people have to know that they are part of a powerful collective, the people have spoken," she said.
Dr McCarthy said local groups would stay vigilant to ensure the area was protected into the future.