Voice of the Peninsula 23 DECEMBER 2021
ISSUE 041
REAL INDEPENDENT LOCAL WEEKLY NEWS
SUPer Santas
News
Members of the Patonga Beach Progress Association have paid their respects to Patonga resident Charles ‘Charlie’ Sproul who passed away this month. See page 5
Business
Three restaurants on the Peninsula have been recognised in a national guide aimed at listing the hottest spots to enjoy this summer. See page 21
Education
Over 20 Santas donned their red hats and sacks for a festive paddle along the Ettalong waterfront last weekend. See page 13
Candidates not convinced by PM’s PEP-11 announcement The Federal Government announced last week it has taken the first steps towards cancelling the PEP-11 permit for offshore gas exploration over an 8,200 square metre area from Newcastle to Wollongong, with waters off the Peninsula a possible drill site. Labor and independent candidates for the Federal electorate of Robertson said, however, they were unconvinced by the declaration and permit holder Asset Energy also claims the fight is not over.
The permit expired in February, with an application for renewal hanging in the balance for 10 months as environmental groups and residents waited for Federal Resources Minister, Keith Pitt, to sign off on a refusal. Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, announced last week at Terrigal that the Government, which includes Minister Pitt, has advised NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole as the joint authority partner, as well as the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA), of its intention to refuse the renewal application.
NOPTA, as the regulator, will grant the applicant 30 days to respond to the notice of intention to refuse the application. But with permit holder Asset Energy (a subsidiary of Advent Energy) foreshadowing a “consultation and assessment process that could take several months” and Labor candidates for Robertson remaining cynical, doubts are emerging that a final resolution will be reached before the next Federal election, which will take place by May next year. Morrison said last week that while gas is an important part
of Australia’s current and future energy mix, this is not the right project for the “pristine beaches and waters” off the east coast of NSW. He said the major reasons for refusal were high levels of community opposition and the fact the Government was not satisfied that the applicant is able to raise sufficient funding to progress the work. Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks, who was with the Prime Minister, said the move was an “important decision” for the Central Coast and reflected the “values and care” the community has towards the
Kindergarten students at Woy Woy Public School received a very special delivery during Week 10 of Term 4 2021.
environment and oceans. But Asset Energy Executive Director, David Breeze, said the announcement ignored science and the need for gas and the company looked forward to working with NOPTA and the Government over an “assessment process” he said could take “several months”. “Our focus will be on addressing concerns and letting people know about the positive environmental and economic benefits which would come from our proposal,” Breeze said. Continued page 4
See page 27
Sport
Central Coast Surf Academy recently received $2,500 to help encourage women and girls into surfing as part of a new focus on equality in the sport. See page 29
Puzzles page 18
It all starts with spirit spiritsuper.com.au Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) and issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). Read the PDS at spiritsuper.com.au before making a decision.
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