Surfrider Foundation Australia has held a virtual town hall for the Central Coast community with the aim of uniting the community against the renewal of PEP11.
State Member for Gosford, Leisl Tesch, said she participated in the virtual meeting.
“I heard members of my community stress the economic, environmental and social impacts that the renewal of PEP11 for offshore oil and gas exploration will have along our pristine coastline,” Tesch said.
“Recently the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report described the impacts on our future if we don’t address the increasingly urgent challenge of Climate Change, as it will have disastrous impacts on our environment.
“I am concerned that PEP11 will have detrimental impacts to our coastal ecosystems and will greatly impact our natural assets.
“This will only lead to fewer natural assets for future generations to enjoy, and the loss of valuable tourism assets, such as our beaches and waterways, which many of our local businesses rely on to draw people to the Central Coast.”
She was joined by Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, who said stopping PEP11 was a matter of urgency.
“Resources Minister Keith Pitt can stop PEP11 with the stroke of a pen today, and as long he continues to stall, the Coast remains at risk.
“The Prime Minister and other Government MPs say they’re opposed to this project, but their own Minister still won’t make a decision.
“While I support the new Bill proposed by Independent Federal MP Zali Steggall to stop PEP11, it is unlikely to be introduced to parliament as the government sets the legislative agenda.
“The renewal rests in the hands of Minister Pitt, and I urge all of our community to send their opposition straight to his office.”
The petition to STOP PEP11 can be found at https://emmamcbride.com.au/petitions/stop-pep11/
Source: Media release, Aug 23, 2021 Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch