Hundreds of surfers and beachgoers led the national day of action against oil-giant Equinor ahead of its deadline to resubmit an environmental plan to exploratory drill the Great Australian Bight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mollymook was the first of more than 50 communities across Australia to protest against the Norwegian company's plans on Saturday, November 23.
Protesters of all ages either paddled out or linked hands as they stood on the sand at North Mollymook to raisw awareness of the risk Shoalhaven beaches and marine life face if an oil-spill occurs.
Their message was loud and clear - 'no way Equinor'.
On November 8, National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) issued a notice to Equinor requiring it to modify and resubmit its environmental plan for proposed drilling in the Bight.
Equinor has 21 days to respond to NOPSEMA, however, it may request an extension.
Treading Light Inc coordinated the peaceful protest, which followed on from multiple protests held at Mollymook earlier in the year.
Founder Monica Mudge praised the supporters who arrived in their hundreds about 7.30am.
She encouraged the crowd to continue to push for change at a grassroots level.
Budawang elder Noel Butler and Eurobodalla surfers also spoke of the importance of unity in protecting "our home".
The motion stated council would write to relevant State and Federal MPs, write to other Victorian, Western Australian and South Australian councils who have already opposed drilling, request that the Federal Government treat Shoalhaven City Council as a key stakeholder and inform council on the progress of the application and write to coastal councils and association to advise them of their decision and encourage their support.