The Federal Government has taken “the next step” in formally rejecting the application for renewal of the PEP11 permit, which expired 12 months ago.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, following the Government’s proposed decision to not suspend, extend and vary the title conditions of the permit announced on December 16, 2021, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) issued the applicant a Notice of Intention to Refuse and granted the applicant 30 days to respond to the notice.
“After considering the applicant’s response, I have made the decision under section 59(3) of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 to propose to refuse the application,” the Prime Minister said.
“As a result, I have written to NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole, as the Joint Authority partner, advising of the Government’s proposed decision.”
It is understood this is a more formal advice than the notification sent to Toole in December of the Government’s “intention” to refuse the application.
A spokesman for NOPTA confirmed that on February 17, 2022, the Federal Government had announced its decision to propose to refuse an application to suspend, extend and vary the title conditions of PEP-11.
“The NSW member of the Joint Authority, Deputy Premier (Paul) Toole, has 30 days to respond, following which a decision will be finalised,” the spokesperson said.
“If Minister Toole agrees with the Commonwealth member of the Joint Authority’s proposed decision to refuse the current suspension, extension and variation application, within the 30-day period, the decision on this application will then be finalised.
“Any action to be taken after a decision is finalised is a matter for the titleholder.”
A spokesperson for Toole said former Deputy Premier John Barilaro had written to Resources Minister Keith Pitt last year confirming the NSW position to reject the renewal of PEP-11.
“Deputy Premier Toole will soon be writing back to the Prime Minister confirming our opposition to PEP-11,” the spokesperson said.
“NOPTA will be (copied) into that formal correspondence with the Prime Minister.”
Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks has stated the Government is following the “proper process” in refusing the application as community groups and Opposition politicians grapple with the convoluted process.
Candidate for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid, is demanding that a definite decision be rendered prior to the next Federal Election, slated for no later than May.
“The Central Coast community has demanded assurance that PEP-11 is truly dead in the water,” Reid said.
He said two months after Morrison announced at Terrigal that PEP11 would definitely not go ahead, the community is still plagued by uncertainty.
Meanwhile Deputy Premier Toole has announced that all offshore exploration and mining for commercial purposes will be ruled out in NSW under a landmark policy introduced by the State Government.
He said the Government will not support commercial applications for offshore mineral, coal or petroleum exploration or mining, in or adjacent to, NSW coastal waters.
Toole said any offshore exploration or mining will be limited to tackling coastal erosion through beach renourishment, where a clear public benefit exists.
“This policy recognises that our coastal ecosystems are complex and sensitive and formalises our long-held view that the NSW Government will not support offshore exploration or mining for commercial purposes,” he said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the new policy would stop the “ping ponging” between State and Federal Governments over the issue of off-shore drilling.
“Although we made (our position) perfectly clear in February 2021 when then Deputy Premier, John Barilaro, formally opposed PEP-11, this policy will … (close) the door on ever having a PEP11-style issue to deal with again,” Crouch said.
“This policy sends a strong message to offshore drillers … NSW is not the place for you.
“I am enormously proud of this policy and congratulate the many community advocates who have long campaigned against offshore drilling.”
Terry Collins
What a lot of crap and hypocritical statements by the political system to buy votes and all the while they go home and cook on there gas stoves and heaters and fuel the boilers of industry with gas, where do these people think gas from thin air, Pep11 could supply NSW for the rest of this century with a transitional fuel and ccs, and hopefully will.