PEP-11: Dave Sharma, Kat Heath lead fight against ocean drilling

On the eve of a crunch town hall meeting, MP Dave Sharma has told how he plans to crush a proposal for exploratory drilling off the NSW coast.

The ocean loving eastern suburbs will hash out their views on a controversial gas and oil drilling permit this week with a prominent local barrister among those to speak out.

Wentworth MP Dave Sharma, a vocal opponent of PEP-11, will also speak at the Surfrider Foundation Australia organised virtual call to arms with hundreds of locals expected to dial in.

While even the Prime Minister has voiced his opposition to the renewal of the permit which allows exploratory drilling for gas and oil offshore from Newcastle to Wollongong, the decision ultimately rests with Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt.

Bondi local and barrister Kat Heath said as the Surfrider Bondi Branch volunteer co-ordinator she knew first-hand how people felt about PEP-11.

“It is disappointing, and confounding, that the Government hasn’t put an end to PEP-11 already,” Ms Heath said.

“Offshore drilling would put the environment, our local economy and our way of life at risk. Even routine exploration and drilling activities would cause harm. But if there was a spill, the effects would be catastrophic.

“We shouldn’t be gambling with our oceans and beaches – especially not to extract more fossil fuels that are threatening our future.

“The time has come to step up and demand that our coasts be permanently protected from drilling. We owe it to our ocean and the incredible marine life that we share it with.”

Independent MP for Warringah Zali Steggall has launched a Bill to cancel the permit but Liberal MP for Wentworth Dave Sharma said that was the wrong way to go about it.

Dave Sharma at Bondi Beach. Picture: John Appleyard

“I’m trying not to sound too cynical, but it’s the easiest thing in the world to propose a bill but what I’m trying to do is what is going to make an impact,” Mr Sharma said.

“Practically speaking bills move on way too slow a time frame to have an impact on this.

“Right now there are about 163 bills active before parliament all crying out for attention.”

Mr Sharma said he would instead continue to lobby Mr Pitt directly who will make the decision in consultation with his state counterpart, Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who has also voiced his opposition to PEP-11.

The pair will inform their decision with information provided by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority.

The final call is with Keith Pitt.

“You just need to think through the politics of this. The idea that if anything was found that we would permit extraction and drilling is pretty far-fetched so let’s just stop the uncertainty,” Mr Sharma said.

“I respect the integrity of the process here.

“I think (a decision) is sooner rather than later. I’d expect it within the next couple of months.”

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Mr Sharma urged locals to contact his office about PEP-11 and dial into the Town Hall tomorrow (Wednesday August 18) at 11am.