A controversial proposal to drill for gas off the coastline between Manly and Newcastle could be dead within 30 days after the Prime Minister formally asked the NSW government to cancel the licence renewal.
The offshore gas proposal has drawn strong opposition in Liberal electorates of Mackellar on the northern beaches and Robertson on the Central Coast, as well as in North Sydney and Wentworth, where the Liberal MPs face challenges from climate-focused independents in the federal election due before June.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club in Lucy Wicks electorate last year to announce his opposition to PEP-11. Credit:James Brickwood
Prime Minister Scott Morrison wrote to the NSW government and the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) in December to notify them he would refuse an application to renew Offshore Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP-11).
NOPTA then notified joint venture partners Advent Energy and Bounty Oil and Gas of the intention to cancel PEP-11 and gave them 30 days to respond.
On Wednesday, Mr Morrison said that after considering the company’s response he had written to the NSW government to formally request it refuse to renew the licence, effectively killing the prospect of drilling.
“I have written to NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole, as the joint authority partner, advising of the government’s proposed decision,” Mr Morrison said.
NSW is required to respond within 30 days. Former NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said last year PEP-11 should be scuttled.
PEP-11 covers 4500 square kilometres and starts 4.5 kilometres off the coast from Sydney’s famous beaches.
The Liberals are under pressure in their northern Sydney strongholds. The NSW party suffered a 20 per cent swing to an independent candidate in the blue-ribbon seat of Willoughby, which currently hangs in the balance as counting continues after Saturday’s byelection.
North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman said he had backed people from his electorate who had campaigned against offshore drilling.
“There are few things more important than protecting our marine environment and this is why PEP-11 has engendered such a strong reaction from the community. It’s the right call and I know will be a relief for those who have been campaigning so hard against,” Mr Zimmerman said.
Liberal MPs Lucy Wicks, Dave Sharma and Jason Falinski represent electorates where drilling platforms may have been visible from the shore.
“I welcome this next step in the complete and final termination of the PEP-11 licence,” Mr Sharma said. “Sydney’s offshore oceans and future generations will thank us for this decision today.”
Mr Falinski said: “PEP-11 is dead”.
“We know the Perrottet government is opposed to this licence. I can assure all of those who live along our pristine coastline that they will continue to be protected under this government for this generation and the next,” Mr Falinski said.
Ms Wicks said PEP-11 was being rejected “to ensure our waterways are protected now and into the future”.
Independent MP Zali Stegall, who ousted former PM Tony Abbott from his Warringah electorate in 2019, has led a prominent campaign against PEP-11. She was joined by the Surfrider Foundation, seven-time world surfing champion and northern beaches resident Layne Beachley and two-time world surfing champion and northern beaches local Tom Caroll.
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