legislate against off-shore oil and gas exploration

With PEP 11 back in the spotlight, the NSW Government has vowed to legislate its existing policy to prevent offshore coal, gas, mineral and petroleum mining and exploration in NSW waters if re-elected in March.

The Government has also pledged to ramp up its calls for the Federal Government to prevent offshore mining in neighbouring Commonwealth waters.

The PEP-11 permit for off-shore gas exploration covers an 8,200 square metre area stretching from Newcastle to Wollongong, with the Central Coast a likely drilling site.

A refusal to renew the controversial permit was issued by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison in the lead-up to last year’s Federal election, but Asset Energy appealed the decision in

Federal Court after it was revealed Morrison has taken on a number of extra portfolios in 2020 and 2021, including Resources.

Earlier this month the new Federal