By Alexandra Smith and Anne Hyland
A returned Coalition government will legislate to ban offshore coal, gas, mineral and petroleum production in NSW waters, in a move to stop the exploration of a controversial gas field off the state’s coastline between Sydney’s North Head and Newcastle.
NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said a re-elected Coalition would introduce a bill to legislate its existing offshore exploration and mining policy in the next session of parliament.
Kean’s commitment coincided with Justice Jackson of the Federal Court agreeing on Tuesday to a request from the federal government and two gas companies to end legal action over the gas field, known as Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 or PEP11.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean says a re-election Coalition government would ban offshore exploration.Credit: Jessica Hromas
In giving the consent order, it nullifies former prime minister Scott Morrison’s secret decision to block the exploration request. In turn, it begins the process again for the gas companies, who must seek approval from the NSW and federal governments to extend the permit to explore for gas.
The area comes under the Commonwealth-NSW Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, although the federal government is the ultimate decision maker.
Kean urged the federal government to follow the NSW Coalition and ban PEP11. His push also comes less than six weeks from the state election, when the Coalition will need to convince voters of its environmental credentials, especially in seats facing a threat from a teal candidate.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals government has been consistently opposed to PEP11, which is why we are legislating our existing ban on offshore gas mining in NSW waters and calling on the Albanese Government to do the same in Commonwealth waters,” Kean said.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals will always stand up for the environment and our communities that care deeply about our pristine coastline, and the federal Labor Government must do the same to outlaw PEP11 once and for all.”
Kean said the NSW government’s existing policy sets out a “responsible and balanced approach to the development of the state’s geological resources”.
“Today’s announcement cements our long-held opposition to offshore gas exploration and mining, and these new laws will make it crystal clear to anyone looking to drill for gas off our coast that they need not apply,” Kean said.
To help tackle beach erosion, the government will still consider offshore mineral exploration or mining in NSW waters for beach nourishment where a clear benefit can be demonstrated, Kean said.
When he was prime minister, Morrison secretly swore himself in as resources minister without informing the then resources minister Keith Pitt, who intended to approve the project’s exploration request.
Asset Energy and Bounty Oil & Gas were seeking to extend their permit to explore and drill for gas off the coastline.
The gas exploration area, located no further than 50 kilometres off the NSW coast, covers an area of 4574 square kilometres and runs parallel to the state’s beaches, popular tourist destinations and – at the time of Morrison’s decision – past a number of blue-ribbon federal electorates.
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