Esso's aging gas and oil rigs are facing retirement - but what does that mean for South Gippsland? And how can the community make sure that they are heard by Esso and their parent company ExxonMobil in the consultation meetings scheduled in various locations on 22, 23 and 24 October? Join us for a briefing on Esso's plans and find out how to make your voice heard.

Esso plans to keep their decommissioning project to a bare minimum - cutting off the gas platforms, pipes and supporting structure just 55 meters below the ocean surface and leaving the rest of the rusting rig and wells in place. They hope to drag the steel, asbestos and pipelines full of pollutants including radioactive materials to RAMSAR listed Barry's Beach for dismantling before trucking the whole mess out across the narrow, windy South Gippsland Hwy.

Friends of the Earth has heard from locals that the consultation meetings offered by Esso were poorly advertised and have in some cases contained conflicting information about the decommissioning plans.

Communities have the right to genuine, accessible consultation and to consider alternative options. Join us for a public meeting to learn more about the project, the alternatives and your rights as community members. You don't need to be an expert, just someone who wants to make sure that your community and ecosystem is respected by one of the heaviest climate polluting companies in the world. A company that has already been responsible for three serious leaks from their rigs into the Gippsland Basin the past six months.

We will discuss:

• What Esso plans to do with the old gas rigs (and what this can mean for your community and environment!)
• What alternatives you can consider and ask for
• How to make sure that public consultation standards are met and you are properly informed about project plans
• Other pathways to raise concerns with the federal regulator NOPSEMA

If you're interested in coming along please RSVP and tell your neighbours.