NSW coastal gas rig project: Barilaro opposed, time for Pitt to reject it
Surfers for Climate and the Wilderness Society have welcomed today's decision by the NSW Deputy Premier, John Barilaro, to formally advise the Federal Government that it opposes a controversial new offshore gas mining project along NSW's coast, from Manly to Newcastle.
They are calling on the Morrison Government to join their state and federal colleagues who oppose the project and reject an application to extend the licence for the so called 'PEP 11' project, a joint venture between Advent Energy and Bounty Oil and Gas.
While the decision to grant the licence is a joint decision of Barilaro and Federal Resources Minister Keith Pitt, the final decision rests with Pitt.
Belinda Baggs, professional longboarder and founder of Surfers for Climate said, "Local communities up and down the NSW coast have made it clear that they do not want ugly rigs polluting and destroying the seas and shores they love.
"Every Federal MP with an electorate that will be impacted by PEP11, including Liberal MPs Dave Sharma, Jason Falinski and Lucy Wicks, have listened to their constituents and publicly announced they are against offshore oil and gas rigs off their beaches.
"Now it's time for the Morrison government to back his colleagues and rule out this damaging project once and for all," Ms Baggs said.
Eleanor Lawless from the Wilderness Society Newcastle said, "In support of our precious and diverse marine ecosystems, our beautiful beaches and our region's tourism and fishing industries we are standing against the proposed offshore gas field in the PEP11 zone.
"The coastal waters of NSW are a vibrant and valuable marine wilderness and are home to 13 endangered and critically endangered species which rely on it for habitat, as well as a crucial migratory route for whales heading north to breed and give birth in warm waters."
"The coastline of Newcastle and surrounds could be dotted with risky and destructive gas rigs, harming marine ecosystems and fuelling climate change, if we don't push back against exploration and development in our coastal waters," said Ms Lawless
This has been a long running community campaign, with a number of coastal community groups now working to stop the project, including the Surfrider Foundation, Save Our Coast, and Surfers For Climate and Wilderness Society
