12 FEBRUARY 2021
ISSUE 279
News
Electrical Trades Union (ETU) delegates rallied at Gosford racecourse on February 11 calling on Ausgrid to stop cutting Central Coast jobs. See page 4
Out&About
Decision looms for PEP11 extension
The Rhythm Hut’s drumming classes are back, with the year’s first six-week program kicking off on February 23. See page 17
Federal Labor Leader Anthony Albanese discusses PEP11 with concerned residents at Terrigal Beach
With the PEP11 permit for offshore gas drilling up for renewal on February 12, Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese joined fellow Labor MPs and community activists at Terrigal on February 5 to call for its cancellation. Albanese was joined by MPs from all along the coastline, including Member for Dobell Emma McBride, along with representatives of the Save Our Coast Group and Surfrider Foundation Australia and dozens of residents concerned at the possible effects of drilling 5km off Central Coast beaches. Albanese told the crowd PEP11 had the potential to the entire coastline from Sydney to Port Stephens. Not only would any drilling impact the way of life on the Central Coast, but it would also have an economic effect on the fishing industry and tourism, which he said was a “vital employer” on the Coast. “(Drilling) would be a disaster even if things went well, but if they didn’t it could be potentially catastrophic,” he said. Albanese said the Labor Party was not opposed to oil and gas exploration in appropriate areas but drilling along the coastline was “just not on”.
He said the Federal Government needed to ensure an application for renewal of the licence was denied. McBride said renewing the licence would pose a huge threat to the Coast’s environment, economy and very way of life. “Critically, this decision won’t be made locally, it won’t be made on the Central Coast, it will be made by two Ministers who don’t live in the area – the Federal Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, and the NSW Deputy Premier, John Barilaro,” she said in Parliament on February 2. “Nearly 2,000 local people have already contacted me, calling on the Ministers to stop PEP11 and to save our coast. “It’s not just locals who will be impacted by PEP11. “In 2019, 1.94 million people visited the Coast, adding $692M to our local economy, and in the pandemic recovery, tourism should be boosted, not threatened by risky proposals like PEP11.” Save our Coast representative Tim Heffernan said that the Federal Government must now act to cancel PEP11, which “doesn’t make any sense”, once and for all.
“Save Our Coast has been leading the campaign with the community for a number of years to stop seismic testing and drilling off the most populated coastline in NSW, which is also a major whale migratory route,” he said. “Tens of thousands of people from the Central Coast and beyond have joined actions, signed petitions and contacted their local MPs. “We are opposed to the project because the risk to our precious marine environment, tourism sector and coastal lifestyle far outweighs any benefits, especially in a time when the entire world is moving away from fossil fuels and transitioning toward renewables.” Surfrider Foundation Australia National Campaign Director Damien Cole said while gas exploration was the main thrust of PEP11, there was also the potential for oil exploration. “This could lead to oil slicks which could destroy everything we’ve ever known” he said. After months of refusing to make a public stand on the issue, Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks announced on February 5 that she would oppose extension of the PEP11 licence.
“Extending the PEP11 permit is a decision for the Joint Authority,” she said. “The first step in this process is for the NSW Deputy Premier, John Barilaro, to make a recommendation on extending the PEP11 permit. “The second step is for the Federal Minister for Resources, Keith Pitt, to do the same. “I am urging the NSW Government to listen to the concerns of the Central Coast community and say no to extending the PEP11 permit. “I stand with my community in raising these serious concerns about the potential impacts of PEP-11 on our ocean. “Regardless of the NSW Government’s decision, I will be advocating for the Commonwealth to say no to the decision to extend the PEP11 permit. A spokesperson for Deputy Premier John Barilaro confirmed he will recommend refusal of the extension of the licence. “In 2017, the NSW government’s position was to refuse further applications to extend the life of PEP 11 – that position has not changed,” the spokesperson said. Minister for Resources Keith
Pitt said he was yet to receive any formal submission or advice from the NSW Minister. “The National Offshore Titles Administrator (NOPTA) will provide advice to assist with my decision,” Pitt said. “Any exploration project or petroleum activity will require approval from the independent expert offshore regulator, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA). “I will carefully consider all relevant information before making my decision.” CEO of BPH Energy, David Breeze, is one of the license holders of the PEP11 title. When asked why $9M was raised by the company even though the decision to extend the licence is still pending, Breeze said he was “certainly committed to continue with the project”. Under section 265A (1) of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (OPGGS Act), the permit continues to be in force until the Joint Authority makes a decision on the current suspension and extension application. Terry Collins
Business
Despite its financial woes, Central Coast Council is forging ahead with plans for the Gosford Regional Library and is set to lodge a development application... See page 26
Sport
Central Coast mogul skier, Matt Graham, has found himself ranked number one on the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) World Cup standings after back-to-back podium placements in events held in Deer Valley, USA. See page 40
Puzzles page 22
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