Our beautiful NSW coast from Newcastle through the Central Coast to Manly is under threat from devastating oil and gas exploration.

Further damaging 3D seismic testing (intense and explosive underwater airgun blasting for oil or gas), and/or offshore drilling and a gas field is planned within PEP 11 (petroleum exploration permit 11) which is 4,500 square km of ocean from Newcastle, through the Central Coast to Manly, NSW, in some places 5.5km to shore.  

Seismic testing involves continuous explosive airgun blasts every 3-10 seconds for 24 hours continuously, for days, weeks or months on end. Between 200-250 decibels these seismic blasts have been shown to kill plankton 1.2km away, cause malformation in oysters, stress, deafen and harm fish, turtles and other marine life including penguins, dolphins and whales, and are linked to mass stranding of dolphin and whales.  Fishermen report hauls of dead and decaying fish following seismic testing, with 2 years before productivity returns. 

This plan has been imposed on our beautiful coast in the whale migration path by the Federal Government  without adequate community consultation and despite opposition from the NSW Government, Newcastle City Council, Central Coast Council and Northern Beaches Council.

Two thirds of our gas is shipped overseas; Australia is the largest exporter of natural gas. Gas is even more damaging to the environment: methane from gas is 84 times more powerful at destabilising the climate than carbon dioxide. In a climate emergency, our federal government should instead be investing in clean, renewable solar energy. 

Many of us feel a connection to our coast. We will suffer too if our coast is damaged. This flawed plan could be devastating to our marine animals, our marine ecosystem, thriving tourism and fisheries industries, have severe detrimental climate and environmental impacts, and affect all of us. 

Stop blasting or drilling for oil or gas off our coast : Say NO to PEP11.

Please help us Stop Seismic Testing and Save Our Coast.... Before it's too late. 

www.saveourcoast.org.au

PETITION to be presented in parliament:


We strongly oppose the seismic testing and drilling for oil and gas off Newcastle and the Central Coast. Seismic testing is known to cause auditory and navigational disturbances in whales and dolphins, destroys plankton, and is linked to injury and death of marine life. This negative impact on our coastal ecosystem would also be detrimental to our thriving tourism and fisheries industries. Furthermore, drilling of wells and an oil or gas field off the coast of Newcastle, the Central Coast and the Northern Beaches of Sydney (PEP11) places an unacceptable risk to the environment. The potential of catastrophic harm to our coast and all marine life is unacceptable and causes deep distress to residents. We ask for a ban on seismic testing, and cessation of offshore gas/oil exploration & activity in NSW, to protect our marine life, our environment and the health of residents.

see more at www.saveourcoast.org.au