Dear Friend
Greetings! And thank you for taking part in the KI - Too Precious to Lose postcard campaign. We were so pleased to receive hundreds of postcards from concerned Aussies – like you - from all around the country, calling on the Environment Minister, Tony Burke, to put a stop to oil and gas exploration off Kangaroo Island.
We have had one good outcome but the fight is not over yet!
In early January, we were pleased that the Minister declared the company's application a controlled action and ordered Bight to release all preliminary documentation to the public for scrutiny.
However, this deadline came and went and the people of Kangaroo Island were left wondering.
A short time later the company announced it would withdraw and re-submit its application to alter the timeframe.
A few days ago its new proposal was released with an updated timeframe.
The bad news is that although Bight may have shortened the testing period, it still places it right in the middle of blue whale feeding, southern blue fin tuna migration and southern right whale breeding and nursing seasons. This is no better.
A threat to the KI community
Extensive scientific evidence shows seismic testing is extremely dangerous to many marine mammals, causing stress, hearing damage and even death.
KI is home to a very close-knit community, many of whom depend on tourism and fishing for their livelihoods.
Kangaroo Island Mayor Jayne Bates has described Bight Petroleum's plans as "all risk and no gain" to the Kangaroo Island community - and we completely agree.
So, where to from here? You can make a difference!
The general public only have until the 19th March to comment on Bight’s proposal so we need you to take action today.
How you can help:
- Email Minister Burke to tell him that KI is Too Precious to Lose – here are some suggestions about things you could say;
- Make a submission to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population & Communities – Here are some tips on how to ensure your comments are effective.
- Join our Facebook campaign and invite your friends to join us.
- Spread the word on Twitter using the hashtag #TPTL.
- Spread the word – we have just 8 short days to make a difference but we can do it!
Yours sincerely,
Penny Wright
Australian Greens Senator for South Australia
