Oil Free Otago has made an impassioned plea to the Dunedin City Council to follow the lead of others around the country and take a stance against deep sea drilling.

At the beginning of this year the Christchurch City Council took a hard-line opposing any future drilling off the Canterbury coastline.

Auckland Council is voting later this week.

Every year the Dunedin City Council submits on the year block offers on behalf of the submissions it receives from the public.

Siana Fitzjohn from Oil Free Otago says hunting oil for its economic benefits doesn't make sense anymore.

"It's marginal oil and we're the final frontier for the fossil fuel industry. I don't think that's an identity that we want for New Zealand," she said.

"We're about 50 years too late to become the new Texas. We need to let go of this idea, it's fantastical and it's laughable. Even if they were to strike oil or gas, it would be seven to 10 years to go into commercial production."