NSW Government Celebrates Landmark Decision on PEP-11!

Minister Husic’s ruling on these requests offers certainty to the proponent, coastal communities, and the broader public regarding the applications’ results, concluding years of ambiguity. 

To maintain the integrity of the decision-making process for these applications, NSW Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos, in her role as a member of the Commonwealth-New South Wales Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority, refrained from participating in the final evaluation of the applications on this occasion. 

Minister Husic’s ruling comes after decisive measures taken by the Minns Labor Government to safeguard our beaches and coastal surroundings by prohibiting seabed petroleum and mineral extraction and exploration in NSW coastal waters. 

In March 2024, the NSW Government enacted the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Sea Bed Mining and Exploration) Act 2024 (NSW). This legislation took effect on 13 December 2024 and forbids exploration and extraction in the coastal waters of NSW unless specifically exempted.

Statements attributed to Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos: 

“The NSW Government’s stance on drilling and mining in the coastal waters of NSW is unequivocal. I will persist in evaluating applications as part of the Joint Authority for Commonwealth waters on a situational basis. 

“Even though I did not partake in the decision-making, I endorse Minister Husic’s choice to decline the two requests for modification and suspension of the permit’s conditions and extension of the permit duration for PEP-11. 

“I would like to recognize the distinct feelings regarding PEP-11 that have been voiced by coastal communities and their representatives over numerous years.”