With a final decision on PEP-11 due shortly, Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch and Member for Manly James Griffin have today re-affirmed their opposition to offshore gas exploration.
Mr Crouch said the Pacific Ocean and its marine life was too precious to put at risk.
“The coastline between Sydney and Newcastle is a highway for whales during many months of the year and I will never support a policy that threatens our vulnerable marine life,” Mr Crouch said.
“I have publicly opposed PEP-11 since 2017 and will continue to do so for as long as it takes.
“Yesterday, James Griffin MP and I met with the Deputy Premier John Barilaro to reaffirm our community’s strong opposition to PEP-11.”
Mr Griffin said a final decision on PEP-11 would be made by the Commonwealth Government under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act.
“We have asked Mr Barilaro to formally write to his Federal counterpart to express a recommendation on PEP-11 and we are calling for the NSW Government to refuse further applications to extend its life,” Mr Griffin said.
“We are standing shoulder to shoulder with our community in saying there is no place for the drilling of oil and gas off the coastline between Manly and Terrigal. Let’s be clear, the time has come to cancel this exploration licence.”
The petroleum exploration permit 11 (PEP-11) was issued under the Commonwealth Government’s Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act. The NSW Government will make a recommendation to Federal Minister Keith Pitt, and the ultimate decision-making power rests with the Commonwealth Government.
