PEP11 (Petroleum Exploration Permit 11) is a licence to explore for fossil gas in our oceans. If renewed, it would allow drilling just 5.5 kilometres off the coast of New South Wales.
The proposed area of PEP11 covers 4,500 square kilometres of ocean, spanning from Manly to Newcastle.
The proposal was cancelled by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. However, this decision was challenged in the courts by the company proposing this exploration, Asset Energy.¹ Before the Australian federal election in 2022, the then Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and the leader of the Australian Labor Party, Anthony Albanese, stated they opposed PEP11.
On 12 March 2024, the NSW Government passed a bill amending the Environment Planning and Assessment Act 1979.² These new regulations prohibit seabed mining and petroleum exploration within NSW’s state waters.
However, this law does not apply to fossil fuel projects in Commonwealth waters – including PEP11.
On April 23, 2024 the federal Minister for Resources, Madeleine King, recused herself from the PEP11 decision making process, handing this decision making power over to the Hon Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science. Minister Husic now has the power to honour the Albanese Government’s promise and stop PEP11.
Granting the PEP11 licence for offshore gas drilling would set a dangerous precedent, breaking promises to our east coast communities and endangering our precious marine life. With our iconic Great Barrier Reef suffering five bleaching events in eight years,³ Australia needs to drastically reduce our emissions to meet our stated reduction targets and stop approving new fossil fuel projects.
Approving PEP11 will enable more drilling for gas in our ocean and lock in decades of disastrous climate pollution, and inflict serious harm on our marine environment and wildlife.
Tell the Government to keep its promise and stop PEP11.
References:
- coastcommunitynews.com.au/central-coast/news/2023/02/pep-11-back-on-the-agenda/
- legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1979-203
- www.marineconservation.org.au/actions/reactive-monitoring-mission-report-release-reef/